April 14, 2013

Third Sunday of Easter

Reading 1 Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41

When the captain and the court officers had brought the apostles in
and made them stand before the Sanhedrin,
the high priest questioned them,
“We gave you strict orders, did we not,
to stop teaching in that name?
Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching
and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
But Peter and the apostles said in reply,
“We must obey God rather than men.
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus,
though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior
to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
We are witnesses of these things,
as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”

The Sanhedrin ordered the apostles
to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them.
So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin,
rejoicing that they had been found worthy
to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13

R. (2a) I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear
and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O LORD, you brought me up from the netherworld;
you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger lasts but a moment;
a lifetime, his good will.
At nightfall, weeping enters in,
but with the dawn, rejoicing.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
O LORD, be my helper.
You changed my mourning into dancing;
O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading 2 Rev 5:11-14

I, John, looked and heard the voices of many angels
who surrounded the throne
and the living creatures and the elders.
They were countless in number, and they cried out in a loud voice:
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain 
to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength,
honor and glory and blessing.”
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth
and under the earth and in the sea,
everything in the universe, cry out:
“To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor, glory and might,
forever and ever.”
The four living creatures answered, “Amen,”
and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Gospel Jn 21:1-19

At that time, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.
He revealed himself in this way.
Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,
Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,
Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples.
Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”
They said to him, “We also will come with you.”
So they went out and got into the boat,
but that night they caught nothing.
When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore;
but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”
They answered him, “No.”
So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat
and you will find something.”
So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in
because of the number of fish.
So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.”
When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,
he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad,
and jumped into the sea.
The other disciples came in the boat,
for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards,
dragging the net with the fish.
When they climbed out on shore,
they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.”
So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore
full of one hundred fifty-three large fish.
Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.”
And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?”
because they realized it was the Lord.
Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them,
and in like manner the fish.
This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples
after being raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
He then said to Simon Peter a second time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
Jesus said to him the third time,
“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a third time,
“Do you love me?” and he said to him,
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger,
you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted;
but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands,
and someone else will dress you
and lead you where you do not want to go.”
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.
And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

Or Jn 21:1-14

At that time, Jesus revealed himself to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.
He revealed himself in this way.
Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,
Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,
Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples.
Simon Peter said to them, “ am going fishing.”
They said to him, “e also will come with you.”
So they went out and got into the boat,
but that night they caught nothing.
When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore;
but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”
They answered him, “No.”
So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat
and you will find something.”
So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in
because of the number of fish.
So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.”
When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,
he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad,
and jumped into the sea.
The other disciples came in the boat,
for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards,
dragging the net with the fish.
When they climbed out on shore,
they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.”
So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore
full of one hundred fifty-three large fish.
Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.”
And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?”
because they realized it was the Lord.
Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them,
and in like manner the fish.
This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples
after being raised from the dead.

From: Acts 5:27-33

The Apostles Before the Sanhedrin

[27] And when they (the captain and the officers) brought them (the Apostles),
they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, [28]
saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this Name, yet here you have
filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you intend to bring this Man’s blood up-
on us.” [29] But Peter and the Apostles answered, “We must obey God rather
than men. [30] The God of our fathers raised Jesus whom you killed by hanging
Him on a tree. [31] God exalted Him at His right hand as Leader and Savior, to
give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. [32] And we are witnesses to
these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey
Him.”

The Apostles Are Flogged

[40b] (The Sanhedrin) charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let
them go. [41] Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were
counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name.

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

29. The Apostles’ failure to obey the Sanhedrin is obviously not due to pride or
to their not knowing their place (as citizens they are subject to the Sanhedrin’s
authority); the Sanhedrin is imposing a ruling which would have them go against
God’s law and their own conscience. The Apostles humbly and boldly remind
their judges that obedience to God comes first. They know that many members
of the Sanhedrin are religious men, good Jews who can understand their mes-
sage; they try not so much to justify themselves as to get the Sanhedrin to re-
act: they are more concerned about their judges’ spiritual health than about their
own safety. St. John Chrysostom comments: “God allowed the Apostles to be
brought to trial so that their adversaries might be instructed, if they so desired.
[...] The Apostles are not irritated by the judges; they plead with them compas-
sionately, with tears in their eyes, and their only aim is to free them from error
and from divine wrath” (”Hom. on Acts”, 13). They are convinced that “those who
fear God are in no danger, only those who do not fear Him” (”ibid.”) and that it is
worse to commit injustice than to suffer it. We can see from the Apostles’ beha-
vior how deep their convictions run; grace and faith in Jesus Christ have given
them high regard for the honor of God. They have begun at last to love and serve
God without counting the cost. This is true of Christian maturity. “In that cry “ser-
viam”! [I will serve!] you express your determination to ‘serve’ the Church of God
most faithfully, even at the cost of fortune, of reputation and of life” (St. J. Escri-
va, “The Way”, 519).

The Church often prays to God to give its children this resilience: they need it
because there is always the danger of growing indifferent and of abandoning the
faith to some extent. “Lord, fill us with that spirit of courage which gave your mar-
tyr Sebastian,” his feast’s liturgy says, “strength to offer his life in faithful witness.
Help us to learn from him to cherish your law and to obey you rather than men”
(”Roman Missal”).

A Christian should conform his behavior to God’s law: that law should be his very
life. He should obey and love God’s commandments as taught by the Church, if
he wishes to live a truly human life. The law of God is not something burdensome:
it is a way of freedom, as Sacred Scripture is at pains to point out: “The Lord is
my portion, I promise to keep Thy words. I entreat Thy favor with all my heart; be
gracious to me according to Thy promise. When I think of Thy ways, I turn my
feet to Thy testimonies; I hasten and do not delay to keep Thy commandments.
Though the cord of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget Thy law. At midnight
I rise to praise Thee, because of Thy righteous ordinances. I am a companion of
all who fear Thee, of those who keep Thy precepts. The earth, O Lord, is full of
Thy steadfast love; teach me Thy statutes” (Psalm 119:57-64).

Conscience, which teaches man in the depths of his heart, gradually shows him
what the law of God involves: “Man has in his heart a law inscribed by God. His
dignity lies in observing this law, and by it he will be judged (cf. Romans 2:15-16).
His conscience is man’s most secret core, and his sanctuary. There he is alone
with God, whose voice echoes in his depths. By conscience, in a wonderful way,
that law is made known. [...] The more a correct conscience prevails, the more
do persons and groups turn aside from blind choice and try to be guided by the
objective standards of moral conduct” (Vatican II, “Gaudium Et Spes”, 16).

Good and evil are facts of life. A person can identify them. There are such things
as good actions—and there are evil actions, which should always be avoided. The
goodness or badness of human actions is not essentially dependent on the cir-
cumstances, although sometimes these can affect it to some extent.

Like the eye, conscience is designed to enable a person to see, but it needs
light from outside (God’s law and the Church’s guidance) to discover religious
and moral truths and properly appreciate them. Without that help man simply
tires himself out in his search; he seeks only himself and forgets about good
and evil, and his conscience becomes darkened by sin and moral opportunism.

“With respect to conscience,” [Pope] Paul VI teaches, “an objection can arise:
Is conscience not enough on its own as the norm of our conduct? Do the Deca-
logues, the codes, imposed on us from outside, not undermine conscience [...]?
This is a delicate and very current problem. Here all we will say is that subjec-
tive conscience is the first and immediate norm of our conduct, but is needs
light, it needs to see which standard it should follow, especially when the action
in question does not evidence its own moral exigencies. Conscience needs to
be instructed and trained about what is the best choice to make, by the authori-
ty of a law” (”General Audience”, 28 March 1973).

A right conscience, which always goes hand in hand with moral prudence, will
help a Christian to obey the law like a good citizen and also to take a stand,
personally or in association with others, against any unjust laws which may be
proposed or enacted. The State is not almighty in the sphere of law. It may not
order or permit anything it likes; therefore not everything legal is morally lawful
or just. Respect due to civil authority—which is part of the Gospel message and
has always been taught by the Church—should not prevent Christians and people
of good will from opposing legislators and rulers when they legislate and govern
in a way that is contrary to the law of God and therefore to the common good.
Obviously, this legitimate kind of resistance to authority should always involve
the use of lawful methods.

It is not enough for good Christians to profess PRIVATELY the teaching of the
Gospel and the Church regarding human life, the family, education, freedom, etc.
They should realize that these are subjects of crucial importance for the welfare
of their country, and they should strive, using all the usual means at their disco-
sale, to see that the laws of the State are supportive of the common good. Pass-
ivity towards ideologies and stances that run counter to Christian values is quite
deplorable.

30. “Hanging Him on a tree”: this is reminiscent of Deuteronomy 21:23: if a
criminal is put to death “and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain
all night upon a tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man
is accursed by God.” This is a reference to crucifixion, a form of capital punish-
ment which originated in Persia; it was common throughout the East and was
later adopted by the Romans.

32. God sends the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him, and, in turn, the Apostles
obey the indications of the Spirit with complete docility.

If we are to obey the Holy Spirit and do what He asks us, we need to cultivate
Him and listen to what He says. “Get to know the Holy Spirit, the Great Stran-
ger, on whom depends your sanctification.

“Don’t forget that you are God’s temple. The Advocate is in the center of your
soul; listen to Him and be docile to His inspirations” (St. J. Escriva, “The Way”,
57).

40-41. Most members of the Sanhedrin are unimpressed by Gamaliel’s argu-
ments; they simply decide to go as far as they safely can: they do not dare to
condemn the Apostles to death; but, in their stubborn opposition to the Gospel
message, they decree that they be put under the lash in the hope that this will
keep them quiet. However, it has just the opposite effect.

“It is true that Jeremiah was scourged for the word of God, and that Elijah and
other prophets were also threatened, but in this case the Apostles, as they did
earlier by their miracles, showed forth the power of God. He does not say that
they did not suffer, but that they rejoiced over having to suffer. This we can see
from the boldness afterwards: immediately after being beaten they went back to
preaching” (Chrysostom, “Hom. on Acts”, 14).

The Apostles must have remembered our Lord’s words, “Blessed are you when
men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely
on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for so men persecuted the prophets who
were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12).

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

From: Revelation 5:11-14

The Sealed Scroll and the Lamb

[11] Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the
elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands
of thousands, [12] saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and bles-
sing!” [13] And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth
and in the sea, and all therein, saying, “To him who sits upon the throne and to
the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might for ever and ever!” [14] And
the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshipped.

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

11-14. The host of angels around the throne act as a kind of guard of honor pro-
claiming the sublime perfection of Christ the Lamb (v. 12); they list seven attri-
butes which all point to the fact that he has everything that belongs to the God-
head.

After the song of the spiritual, invisible, creation, there follows the hymn of the
material, visible, world. This hymn (v. 14) differs from the previous one in that it
is also addressed to him who sits upon the throne. It thereby puts on the same
level God and the Lamb, whose Godhead is being proclaimed. This marks the
climax of the universal, cosmic praise that is rendered the Lamb. The emphatic
“Amen!” of the four living creatures, and the worship offered by the elders brings
this introductory vision to a close.

As in other passages of the book, mention is made of the role of the angels in
heaven, particularly the worship and praise they offer God before his throne (cf.
Rev 7:11), their role in putting God’s plans into operation (cf. 11:15; 16:17; 22:6,
etc.) and their intercession with God on behalf of mankind (cf. 8:4).

The Church has always encouraged special devotion to the angels (cf. “Lumen
Gentium”, 50). Sacred Scripture and the teaching of the Church clearly tells us
about the existence of angels and about their mission to guide and protect us;
cf. Exodus 23:20: “Behold, I send an angel before you, to guard you on the way
and to bring you to the place which I have prepared. Give heed to him and har-
ken to his voice.” Echoing these words the Catechism of St Pius states that
“by God’s providence angels have been entrusted with the office of guarding the
human race and of accompanying every human being [...]. (God) not only de-
putes angels on particular and private occasions, but also appoints them to take
care of us from our very births. He furthermore appoints them to watch over the
salvation of every member of the human race” (IV, 9). Devotion to one’s guardian
angel, a part of ordinary Christian practice, is something we learn as children
and should keep up during our adult lives: “Have confidence in your guardian
Angel. Treat him as a lifelong friend—that is what he is—and he will render you a
thousand services in the ordinary affairs of each day” (St. J. Escriva, “The Way”,
562).

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

From: John 21:1-19

The Miraculous Draught of Fish

[1] After this Jesus revealed Himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tibe-
rias; and He revealed Himself in this way. [2] Simon Peter, Thomas called the
Twin, Nathaniel of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His
disciples were together. [3] Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They
said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat; but that
night they caught nothing.

[4] Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did
not know that it was Jesus. [5] Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any
fish?” They answered Him, “No.” [6] He said to them, “Cast the net on the right
side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not
able to haul it in, for the quantity of fish. [7] That disciple whom Jesus loved said
to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put
on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. [8] But the
other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far
from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

[9] When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it,
and bread. [10] Jesus said to them, “Bring some fish that you have just caught.”
[11] So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a
hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was
not torn. [12] Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the
disciples dared ask Him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. [13] Jesus
came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. [14] This was
now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after He was raised
from the dead.

Peter’s Primacy

[15] When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son
of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; you know
that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” [16] A second time He said
to him, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord, you
know I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” [17] He said to him the third
time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said
to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know
everything; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. [18]
Truly, truly I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked
where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and
another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go.” [19] (This He
said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this He said to him,
“Follow Me.”

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

1-3. There are some very significant things in this account: we find the disciples
“by the Sea of Tiberias”, which means they have done what the risen Christ had
told them to do (cf. Matthew 28:7); they are together, which shows that there is
a close fraternity among them; Peter takes the initiative, which in a way shows
his authority; and they have gone back to their old jobs as fishermen, probably
waiting for our Lord to give them new instructions.

This episode is reminiscent of the first miraculous draught of fish (cf. Luke 5:1-
11), where our Lord promised Peter He would make him a fisher of men; now
He is going to confirm his mission as visible head of the Church.

4-8. The risen Jesus goes in search of His disciples, to encourage them and tell
them more about the great mission He has entrusted to them. This account de-
scribes a very moving scene, our Lord together with His own: “He passes by,
close to His Apostles, close to those souls who have given themselves to Him,
and they do not realize He is there. How often Christ is not only near us, but in
us; yet we still live in such a human way!... They, the disciples, recall what they
have heard so often from their Master’s lips: fisher of men, apostles. And they
realize that all things are possible, because it is He who is directing their fishing.

“Whereupon ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, It is the Lord!’ Love,
love is farsighted. Love is the first to appreciate kindness. The adolescent Apos-
tle, who felt a deep and firm affection for Jesus, because he loved Christ with all
the purity and tenderness of a heart that had never been corrupted, exclaimed:
‘It is the Lord!’”

“’When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes and sprang
into the sea.’ Peter personifies faith. Full of marvelous daring, he leaps into the
sea. With a love like John’s and a faith like Peter’s, what is there that can stop
us?” (St. J. Escriva, “Friends of God”, 265-266).

9-14. We can sense here the deep impression this appearance of the risen Jesus
must have made on the Apostles, and how sweet a memory St. John kept of it.
After His resurrection Jesus showed the same tenderness as characterized His
public ministry. He makes use of natural things — the fire, the fish, et cetera — to
show that He really is there, and He maintains the familiar tone typical of when
He lived with the disciples.

The Fathers and Doctors of the Church have often dwelt on the mystical meaning
of this episode: the boat is the Church, whose unity is symbolized by the net
which is not torn; the sea is the world, Peter in the boat stands for supreme au-
thority of the Church, and the number of fish signifies the number of the elect (cf.
St. Thomas Aquinas, “Commentary on St. John, in loc.”).

15-17. Jesus Christ had promised Peter that he would be the primate of the
Church (cf. Matthew 16:16-19 and note on the same). Despite his three denials
during our Lord’s passion, Christ now confers on him the primacy He promised.

“Jesus questions Peter, three times, as if to give him a triple chance to atone
for his triple denial. Peter has learned his lesson from the bitter experience of his
wretchedness. Aware of his weakness, he is deeply convinced that rash claims
are pointless. Instead he puts everything in Christ’s hands. ‘Lord, You know well
that I love You” (St. J. Escriva, “Friends of God”, 267). The primacy was given to
Peter directly and immediately. So the Church has always understood — and so
Vatican I defined: “We therefore teach and declare that, according to the testi-
mony of the Gospel, the primacy of jurisdiction over the universal Church of God
was immediately and directly promised and given to Blessed Peter the Apostle
by Christ our Lord. [...] And it was upon Simon Peter alone that Jesus after His
resurrection bestowed the jurisdiction of chief pastor and ruler over all His fold in
the words: “Feed My lambs; feed My sheep” (”Pastor Aeternus”, Chapter 1).

The primacy is a grace conferred on Peter and his successors, the popes; it is
one of the basic elements in the Church, designed to guard and protect its unity:
“In order that the episcopate also might be one and undivided, and that [...] the
multitude of the faithful might be kept secure in the oneness of faith and commu-
nion, He set Blessed Peter over the rest of the Apostles, and fixed in him the
abiding principle of this twofold unity, and its visible foundation” (”Pastor Aeter-
nus, Dz-Sch 3051”; cf. Vatican II, “Lumen Gentium”, 18). Therefore, the primacy
of Peter is perpetuated in each of his successors: this is something which Christ
disposed; it is not based on human legislation or custom.

By virtue of the primacy, Peter, and each of his successors, is the shepherd of
the whole Church and vicar of Christ on earth, because he exercises vicariously
Christ’s own authority. Love for the Pope, whom St. Catherine of Siena used to
call “the sweet Christ on earth”, should express itself in prayer, sacrifice and
obedience.

18-19. According to Tradition, St. Peter followed his Master to the point of dying
by crucifixion, head downwards, “Peter and Paul suffered martyrdom in Rome
during Nero’s persecution of Christians, which took place between the years 64
and 68. St. Clement, the successor of the same Peter in the See of the Church
of Rome, recalls this when, writing to the Corinthians, he puts before them ‘the
generous example of these two athletes’: ‘due to jealousy and envy, those who
were the principal and holiest columns suffered persecution and fought the fight
unto death’” ([Pope] Paul VI, “Petrum Et Paulum”).

“Follow Me!”: these words would have reminded the Apostle of the first call he re-
ceived (cf. Matthew 4:19) and of the fact that Christ requires of His disciples com-
plete self-surrender: “If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and
take up the Cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). St. Peter himself, in one of
his letters, also testifies to the Cross being something all Christians must carry:
“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving
you an example, that you should follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.

Readings at Mass

First reading	Acts 5:27-32,40-41 ©

The high priest demanded an explanation of the Apostles. ‘We gave you a formal warning’ he said ‘not to preach in this name, and what have you done? You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and seem determined to fix the guilt of this man’s death on us.’ In reply Peter and the apostles said, ‘Obedience to God comes before obedience to men; it was the God of our ancestors who raised up Jesus, but it was you who had him executed by hanging on a tree. By his own right hand God has now raised him up to be leader and saviour, to give repentance and forgiveness of sins through him to Israel. We are witnesses to all this, we and the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.’ and they had the apostles called in, gave orders for them to be flogged, warned them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them. And so they left the presence of the Sanhedrin glad to have had the honour of suffering humiliation for the sake of the name.

Psalm	Psalm 29:2,4-6,11-13 ©

I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me.

Alleluia!

I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me

and have not let my enemies rejoice over me.

O Lord, you have raised my soul from the dead,

restored me to life from those who sink into the grave.

I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me.

Alleluia!

Sing psalms to the Lord, you who love him,

give thanks to his holy name.

His anger lasts a moment; his favour all through life.

At night there are tears, but joy comes with dawn.

I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me.

Alleluia!

The Lord listened and had pity.

The Lord came to my help.

For me you have changed my mourning into dancing:

O Lord my God, I will thank you for ever.

I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me.

Alleluia!

Second reading	Apocalypse 5:11-14 ©

In my vision, I, John, heard the sound of an immense number of angels gathered round the throne and the animals and the elders; there were ten thousand times ten thousand of them and thousands upon thousands, shouting, ‘The Lamb that was sacrificed is worthy to be given power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory and blessing.’ Then I heard all the living things in creation – everything that lives in the air, and on the ground, and under the ground, and in the sea, crying, ‘To the One who is sitting on the throne and to the Lamb, be all praise, honour, glory and power, for ever and ever.’ And the four animals said, ‘Amen’; and the elders prostrated themselves to worship.

Gospel Acclamation	cf.Lk24:32

Alleluia, alleluia!

Lord Jesus, explain the Scriptures to us.

Make our hearts burn within us as you talk to us.

Alleluia!

Or

Alleluia, alleluia!

Christ has risen: he who created all things,

and has granted his mercy to men.

Alleluia!

EITHER:

Gospel	John 21:1-19 ©

Jesus showed himself again to the disciples. It was by the Sea of Tiberias, and it happened like this: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee and two more of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said, ‘I’m going fishing.’ They replied, ‘We’ll come with you.’ They went out and got into the boat but caught nothing that night.

It was light by now and there stood Jesus on the shore, though the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, ‘Have you caught anything, friends?’ And when they answered, ‘No’, he said, ‘Throw the net out to starboard and you’ll find something.’ So they dropped the net, and there were so many fish that they could not haul it in. The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ At these words ‘It is the Lord’, Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on, wrapped his cloak round him and jumped into the water. The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net and the fish; they were only about a hundred yards from land.

As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there, and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore, full of big fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and in spite of there being so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, ‘Who are you?’; they knew quite well it was the Lord. Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.

After the meal Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’ Then he said to him a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.

‘I tell you most solemnly,

when you were young

you put on your own belt

and walked where you liked;

but when you grow old

you will stretch out your hands,

and somebody else will put a belt round you

and take you where you would rather not go.’

In these words he indicated the kind of death by which Peter would give glory to God. After this he said, ‘Follow me.’

OR:

Gospel	John 21:1-14 ©

Pray a Rosary each day for our nation.

Pray the Rosary

1. Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. The Apostles Creed: I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

3. The Lord's Prayer: OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

4. (3) Hail Mary: HAIL Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and in the hour of our death. Amen. (Three times)

5. Glory Be: GLORY be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Fatima Prayer: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of your mercy.

Announce each mystery, then say 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be and 1 Fatima prayer. Repeat the process with each mystery.

End with the Hail Holy Queen:

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus!

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Final step -- The Sign of the Cross

The Mysteries of the Rosary

By tradition, Catholics meditate on these Mysteries during prayers of the Rosary.
The biblical references follow each of the Mysteries below.

The Glorious Mysteries
(Wednesdays and Sundays)
1.The Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-18, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-29) [Spiritual fruit - Faith]
2. The Ascension (Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:6-11) [Spiritual fruit - Christian Hope]
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-13) [Spiritual fruit - Gifts of the Holy Spirit]
4. The Assumption [Spiritual fruit - To Jesus through Mary]
5. The Coronation [Spiritual fruit - Grace of Final Perseverance]

April Devotion: The Blessed Sacrament

Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. The Church traditionally encouraged the month of April for increased devotion to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. "The Church in the course of the centuries has introduced various forms of this Eucharistic worship which are ever increasing in beauty and helpfulness; as, for example, visits of devotion to the tabernacles, even every day; Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament; solemn processions, especially at the time of Eucharistic Congresses, which pass through cities and villages; and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament publicly exposed . . . These exercises of piety have brought a wonderful increase in faith and supernatural life to the Church militant upon earth and they are re-echoed to a certain extent by the Church triumphant in heaven, which sings continually a hymn of praise to God and to the Lamb 'Who was slain.'" --Pope Pius XII

ACT OF ADORATION
I adore Thee, 0 Jesus, true God and true Man, here present in the Holy Eucharist, humbly kneeling before Thee and united in spirit with all the faithful on earth and all the blessed in heaven. In deepest gratitude for so great a blessing, I love Thee, my Jesus, with my whole heart, for Thou art all perfect and all worthy of love.

Give me grace nevermore in any way to offend Thee, and grant that I, being refreshed by Thy Eucharistic presence here on earth, may be found worthy to come to the enjoyment with Mary of Thine eternal and everblessed presence in heaven. Amen.

FAITH IN THE EUCHARIST
O my God, I firmly believe that Thou art really and corporally present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar. I adore Thee here present from the very depths of my heart, and I worship Thy sacred presence with all possible humility. O my soul, what joy to have Jesus Christ always with us, and to be able to speak to Him, heart to heart, with all confidence. Grant, O Lord, that I, having adored Thy divine Majesty here on earth in this wonderful Sacrament, may be able to adore it eternally in Heaven. Amen.

FOR THE PEACE OF CHRIST
O most sacred, most loving heart of Jesus, Thou art concealed in the Holy Eucharist, and Thou beatest for us still. Now as then Thou sayest, "With desire I have desired." I worship Thee, then, with all my best love and awe, with my fervent affection, with my most subdued, most resolved will. O make my heart beat with Thy heart. Purify it of all that is earthly, all that is proud and sensual, all that is hard and cruel, of all perversity, of all disorder, of all deadness. So fill it with Thee, that neither the events of the day nor the circumstances of the time may have power to ruffle it; but that in Thy love and Thy fear it may have peace. --Cardinal Newman

ACT OF LOVE
I believe Thou art present in the Blessed Sacrament, O Jesus. I love Thee and desire Thee. Come into my heart. I embrace Thee, O never leave me. I beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus, may the burning and most sweet power of Thy love absorb my mind, that I may die through love of Thy love, who wast graciously pleased to die through love of my love. --St. Francis of Assisi

ACT OF REPARATION
Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, well known in connection with devotion to the Sacred Herat of Jesus, led the way in making reparation to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament for the coldness and ingratitude of men. This prayer of hers can become our own as we attempt to make amends for our own and others' neglect of the great Sacrament of His love, the Eucharist.
O kind and merciful savior, from my heart I earnestly desire to return Thee love for love. My greatest sorrow is that Thou art not loved by men, and, in particular, that my own heart is so cold, so selfish, so ungrateful. Keenly aware of my own weakness and poverty, I trust that Thy own grace will enable me to offer Thee an act of pure love. And I wish to offer Thee this act of love in reparation for the coldness and neglect that are shown to Thee in the sacrament of Thy love by Thy creatures. O Jesus, my supreme good, I love Thee, not for the sake of the reward which Thou hast promised to those who love Thee, but purely for Thyself. I love Thee above all things that can be loved, above all pleasures, and above myself and all that is not Thee, promising in the presence of heaven and earth that I will live and die purely and simply in Thy holy love, and that if to love Thee thus I must endure persecution and suffering I am completely satisfied, and I will ever say with Saint Paul: Nothing "will be able to separate us from the love of God." 0 Jesus, supreme master of all hearts, I love Thee, I adore Thee, I praise Thee, I thank Thee, because I am now all Thine own. Rule over me, and transform my soul into the likeness of Thyself, so that it may bless and glorify Thee forever in the abode of the saints.
--Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque

OFFERING
My Lord, I offer Thee myself in turn as a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Thou hast died for me, and I in turn make myself over to Thee. I am not my own. Thou hast bought me; I will by my own act and deed complete the purchase. My wish is to be separated from everything of this world; to cleanse myself simply from sin; to put away from me even what is innocent, if used for its own sake, and not for Thine. I put away reputation and honor, and influence, and power, for my praise and strength shall be in Thee. Enable me to carry out what I profess. Amen. --Cardinal Newman

Prayer Source: Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954

Litany of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy, Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us, Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us, Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

O Living Bread, Who from Heaven descended, have mercy on us.
Hidden God and Savior, have mercy on us.
Grain of the elect, have mercy on us.
Vine sprouting forth virgins, have mercy on us.
Wholesome Bread and delicacy of kings, have mercy on us.
Perpetual sacrifice, have mercy on us.
Clean oblation, have mercy on us.
Lamb without spot, have mercy on us.
Most pure feast, have mercy on us.
Food of Angels, have mercy on us.
Hidden manna, have mercy on us.
Memorial of God's wonders, have mercy on us.
Supersubstantial Bread, have mercy on us.
Word made flesh, dwelling in us, have mercy on us.
Holy Victim, have mercy on us.

O Cup of blessing, have mercy on us.
O Mystery of faith, have mercy on us.
O Most high and venerable Sacrament, have mercy on us.
O Most holy of all sacrifices, have mercy on us.
O True propitiatory Sacrifice for the living and the dead, have mercy on us.
O Heavenly antidote, by which we are preserved from sin, have mercy on us.
O stupendous miracle above all others, have mercy on us.
O most holy Commemoration of the Passison of Christ, have mercy on us.
O Gift transcending all abundance, have mercy on us.
O extraordinary memorial of Divine love, have mercy on us.
O affluence of Divine largess, have mercy on us.
O most holy and august mystery, have mercy on us.

Medicine of immortality, have mercy on us.
Awesome and life-giving Sacrament, have mercy on us.
Unbloody Sacrifice, have mercy on us.
Food and guest, have mercy on us.
Sweetest banquet at which the Angels serve, have mercy on us.
Bond of love, have mercy on us.
Offering and oblation, have mercy on us.
Spiritual sweetness tasted in its own foutain, have mercy on us.
Refreshment of holy souls, have mercy on us.
Viaticum of those dying in the Lord, have mercy on us.
Pledge of future glory, have mercy on us.

Be merciful, spare us, O Lord.
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Lord.

From the unworthy reception of Thy Body and Blood, deliver us, O Lord.
From passions of the flesh, deliver us, O Lord.
From the concupiscence of the eyes, deliver us, O Lord.
From pride, deliver us, O Lord.
From every occasion of sin, deliver us, O Lord.
Through that desire, with which Thou desiredst to eat the Passover with Thy disciples, deliver us, O Lord.
Through that profound humility with which Thou didst wash Thy disciples' feet, deliver us, O Lord.
Through that most ardent love, with which Thou instituted this Divine Sacrament,
deliver us, O Lord.
Through the most precious Blood, which Thou hast left for us upon the altar, deliver us, O Lord.
Through those Five Wounds of Thy most holy Body, which was given up for us, deliver us, O Lord.

Sinners we are, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst graciously preserve and augment the faith, reverence, and devotion in us towards this admirable Sacrament, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst graciously lead us through the true confession of we beseech Thee, hear us.
our sins to a frequent reception of the Eucharist, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst graciously free us from every heresy, falsehood, and blindness of the heart, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst graciously impart to us the Heavenly and precious fruits of this most Holy Sacrament, we beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst graciously protect and strengthen us in our hour of death with this Heavenly Viaticum, we beseech Thee, hear us.

O Son of God, we beseech Thee, hear us.
Lamb of God, Who taketh away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who taketh away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who taketh away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord.
Christ, hear us, Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us, Christ, graciously hear us.
Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy, Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy.
Our Father . . .
Hail Mary . . .

V. Thou didst furnish them with Bread from Heaven, Alleluia.
R. Having in it every delight.

Let us pray.

O God, Who under a marvelous Sacrament has left us a memorial of Thy Passion; grant us; we beseech Thee; so to venerate the sacred mysteries of Thy Body and Blood, that we may ever perceive within us the fruit of Thy Redemption. Thou, Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.

From the Manuale Sacerdotum, P. Josephus Schneider, S. J., 1867

Essays for Lent: The Eucharist
Excerpt from: The Didache (The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles) [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
Divorced Catholics and the Eucharist
Following The Truth: So, You Just Received Jesus…Now What? (Catholic or Open)
Auxiliary Bishop Says Communion In the Hand is a Novelty [Ecumenical]
How Something We Consider Solidly Traditional was Once Thought Progressive (Catholic)
Transubstantiation: Change We Can Believe In
Diocese limits Communion under both kinds, laments excessive extraordinary ministers
Phoenix Diocese to adopt new norms for Holy Communion [Catholic Caucus]
What Does GIRM 160 for the USA Really Say?
Lift the City - a Catholic Eucharistic flash mob (Catholic Caucus)
Justin Martyr: 1st apology: Sacraments, Eucharist {Catholic/Orthodox caucus}
The Institution of the Eucharist in Scripture [Catholic Caucus]
How the Mass is a sacrifice, and why so many deny this doctrine (Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)
[Ecumenical] Lent through Eastertide - Divine Mercy Diary Exerpts: Holy Communion and the Eucharist
New book connects the Eucharist with its Jewish roots
THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST (sections 3 only) {Ecumenical Thread}
THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST (sections 1&2 only) {Ecumenical Thread}

The Perfect Sacrifice: When Heaven Comes to Earth [Catholic Caucus]
The Real Presence [Church Fathers on the Holy Eucharist, cont'd ]
Is the Mass a Sacrifice? (Once and for all, Heb 9-10) {Catholic/Orthodox Caucus}
Radio Replies Second Volume - Holy Communion
The Real presence of Christ in the Eucharist {Catholic/Orthodox Caucus}
Radio Replies Second Volume - The Sacrifice of the Mass
Radio Replies Second Volume - Holy Eucharist
Thanksgiving, the Prophets and the Eucharist
Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, Lex Vivendi. As we Worship, So we Believe, So we Live
[CATHOLIC/ORTHODOX CAUCUS] 5th Luminous Mystery: Institution of the Eucharist (Patristic Rosary)
Wounded in the house of them that loved Me
[CATHOLIC / ORTHODOX CAUCUS] Eucharist is Jesus' greatest gift to us, teaches Pope Benedict XVI
[CATHOLIC CAUCUS] What makes Jesus present in the Eucharist: broadening one's view.
Pope's Q--A at End of Priestly Year Pt 4 "We Celebrate,..Meditate..on Eucharist" [Catholic Caucus]
Sacrifice, Transubstantiation, and Real Presence (Pope Benedict XVI) [Catholic Caucus]
Catholic Caucus: Eucharist is the Heart of God
[CATHOLIC CAUCUS]'Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity': The Miracle and Gift of the Most Holy Eucharist
A Secular Eucharist
Paul and the Eucharist
Centered in the Eucharist

Who Can Receive Communion? (Catholic Caucus)
Respect For Christ In The Eucharist – One Priest’s Perspective
Catholic Biblical Apologetics: Opportunities of Grace: The Eucharist: The Lord's Supper
THE PRIEST IN THE COMMUNION RITES - Liturgy Prepares for Reception of the Eucharist
Novena with Saint Peter Julian Eymard for Prayer in the Presence of the Blessed Sacrament [Prayer]
THE PRIEST IN THE COMMUNION RITES - Liturgy Prepares for Reception of the Eucharist
Boston Cardinal: Church Needs 'Clear' Injunction Denying Pro-Abortion Pols Communion
Benedict XVI calls priests to protect communion between God and man
Eucharist: Holy Sacrifice
Fr. Men: The Eucharist [Cath-Orth caucus]
Catholics in Costa Rica outraged by disrespect toward Eucharist [Catholic Caucus]
The Institution of the Eucharist in Scripture
St Anthony and the Real Presence
The Essentials of the Catholic Faith, Part Two: Channels of Grace: The Eucharist
EWTN - October 29 - 8PM - Fr. Antoine and the Eucharist
The Role of the Bishop of Rome in the Communion of the Church in the First Millennium
Radio Replies First Volume - Holy Eucharist
The Institution of the Eucharist in Scripture
Catholic Caucus: The Spiritual Combat Ch 54. MANNER IN WHICH WE OUGHT TO RECEIVE...BLESSED SACRAMENT
Catholic Caucus: The Spiritual Combat: Ch 53. CONCERNING THE MOST HOLY SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST

A Few Texts From Saint Cyril of Jerusalem on the Eucharist
Catholic Devotional: On Visiting Jesus Christ In the Blessed Sacrament
The Early Christians Believed in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist
Focus on the Real Presence
A Chinese Girl-True Story That Inspired Bishop Fulton Sheen- Eucharist Adoration (Catholic Caucus)
Doubting Thomases(Eucharist); the Pitfalls of Folly(Catholic Caucus)
Rainbow sash-wearers prohibited from receiving [the Eucharist at Cathedral of St. Paul]
The significance of Holy Thursday (institution of the Eucharist and priesthood)
Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament [Catholic Caucus]
The Catechism of St. Thomas Aquinas THE HOLY EUCHARIST
Holy Communion (with a Quiz!)
Beginning Catholic: The Eucharist: In the Presence of the Lord Himself [Ecumenical]
Beginning Catholic: Receiving the Lord in Holy Communion [Ecumenical]
Faithful Invited to Follow Pope, Adore Eucharist [Catholic Caucus]
Christmas and the Eucharist(Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)
Eucharist kneeling request sparks controversy [Catholic Caucus]
Eucharist vs. the Word (which is more important in the Catholic Church)
Christ the Miracle Worker in the Eucharist(Catholic Caucus)
Imitating Christ in the Eucharist(Catholic Caucus)
The Eucharist - the Lord's Sacrifice, Banquet and Presence (OPEN)

Pope Calls Eucharist History's Greatest Revolution [OPEN]
A Brief Catechism for Adults - Lesson 22: The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion)
A series of reflections from St. Peter Julian Eymard Blessed Sacrament(Catholic Caucus)
Eucharist, Holy Meal
Imitating Christ in the Eucharist
Christmas and the Eucharist
Prayer Before the Blessed Sacrament
This is My Body, This is My Blood
THE HOLY EUCHARIST IS THE WHOLE CHRIST
Gift Of Life, Gift Eternal: The Most Holy Eucharist and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
Area worshipers march to celebrate Holy Eucharist
Grace of the Eucharist is secret to holy priests, says Pope
The Disposition of Priests [Valid Mass, Valid Holy Eucharist?]
The Body of Christ?
Holy Sacrifice, Living Sacrament
Knights of the Eucharist
The Banquet of Corpus Christi - "Why did Jesus give us His Body and Blood?"
The Eucharist: Eternity and Time Together
Restored Order of the Sacraments of Initiation? Confirmation and First Eucharist together? (Vanity)
Reflections of Cardinal Ratzinger on the Eucharist

THE HOLY EUCHARIST: NOURISHMENT TO FINISH OUR COURSE
The Eucharist in Scripture - Part 1 - Old Testament
LITANY OF REPARATION TO OUR LORD IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
POPE GRANTS PLENARY INDULGENCE FOR YEAR OF THE EUCHARIST
New Plenary Indulgence to Mark Year of the Eucharist
Kneeling and Faith in the Eucharist
The Immaculate Conception and the Eucharist, a course in Christian culture in Tashkent
The Year of the Eucharist by Bishop Donald Wuerl
"While We're At It": What can we do to show that the Eucharist is a communal activity?
CATHOLICS AND ... WITNESSED UNUSUAL IMAGES IN BLESSED SACRAMENT
The Discipline of the Eucharist Holy See Releases Redemptionis Sacramentum...
Vatican: Matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist (April 23, 2004)
Devotion to the Holy Eucharist Advances Devotion to Jesus' Person
New rules on the Holy Eucharist on Holy Thursday
The Reverence due to the Holy Eucharist
The Holy Face of Jesus Christ as appeared on the Holy Eucharist
The Fourth Cup: The Sacrament of the Eucharist [Holy Thursday] [Passover]
Holy Father stresses Need of Devotion to Holy Eucharist outside of Mass: Pope Paul VI

Arlington Catholic Herald

GOSPEL COMMENTARY JN 21:1-19

Do you love me?

Fr. Jack Peterson

There is an enormous amount of brokenness and sin in our world today. We see it in societies where poverty, hatred, war and genocide still abound. It is evident in homes where genuine care, loving sacrifice and dedicated family time often are absent. We also see it in individual lives where selfishness, despair, resentment and anger reign.

Jesus died on Good Friday and rose on Easter Sunday to destroy these evils that prevail in much of our world. He is the Divine Physician who wants to heal our wounds, forgive our sins and renew our hearts. Jesus has a mission to repair our broken world, one heart at a time.

This week’s Gospel lays out for us Jesus’ effort to heal the heart of Peter, the rock upon whom He intended to build His church. Peter’s own weakness and brokenness led him to deny that he knew Our Lord three times during Jesus’ darkest hour. The one who, hours before, had boldly promised that he would die for Jesus, has a meltdown before the ones who question him, “You are not one of his disciples, are you?”

Peter’s three-fold denial of Our Lord seriously damaged his faith, confidence and sense of self. Jesus, keenly aware of this reality, approaches Peter to heal him and renew him. “Simon, Son of John, do you love me?” The risen Jesus begins the healing by simply approaching Peter and initiating an encounter. Then, Our Lord intentionally questions Peter three times concerning his love for the divine Savior. Our Lord gave Peter the chance to repair the breach and to pledge his heart anew with a three-fold public confirmation. What a skilled Physician.

In addition to healing Peter’s heart, Our Lord recommissions him as head of the apostles and visible leader of His church. As the father in the parable of the prodigal son restores his son’s dignity as a member of the family by the gift of the sandals, ring and fine robe, Jesus restores Peter as chief shepherd of the flock by commanding him to feed and tend His sheep. Peter desperately needed this moment in order to have full confidence in the role that Jesus had given him after the first miraculous catch of fish. This encounter fashioned by our risen Lord was an incredible gift to Peter and the church.

The Divine Physician also exercises His role as the Divine Teacher by highlighting that leadership in the kingdom must flow first from love for Christ. St. Paul will emphasize this reality in his famous passage from First Corinthians where he states that if I have the gift of prophecy, the faith to move mountains, and the generosity to give everything I have away but have not love, then I am nothing at all. All leadership among Christians must begin with a profound love for the person of Jesus Christ. Otherwise the leadership will be corrupted and go astray.

Jesus knew well Peter’s heart. His love for Peter, His gift of healing and His extraordinary trust in him proved true. Peter became a generous, wise and courageous shepherd of the flock. By God’s grace, Peter served Our Lord faithfully and remained close to the one he loved until the very end. Simon Peter gave his life in the end in Rome as a witness to the risen Lord and as leader of the church commissioned to make disciples of all nations and to teach them all that the Lord had commanded.

All of us have had our meltdowns and denied Jesus with our words and actions. We have damaged our faith and lost confidence. The Divine Physician knows our hearts as well. He wants to extend His mercy, bring us healing and send us out to be His witnesses in the world. Let’s commit to being like Peter this Easter season and accept the new life of Christ.

Fr. Peterson is assistant chaplain at Marymount University in Arlington and director of the Youth Apostles Institute in McLean.

The Work of God

Year C

- 3nd Sunday of Easter

Peter, feed my sheep.

John 21:1-19

1 After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way.
2 Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples.
3 Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
5 Jesus said to them, "Children, you have no fish, have you?" They answered him, "No."
6 He said to them, "Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish.
7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea.
8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.
9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread.
10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught."
11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn.
12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" because they knew it was the Lord.
13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.
14 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs."
16 A second time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep."
17 He said to him the third time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.
18 Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go."
19 (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, "Follow me." (NRSV)

Inspiration of the Holy Spirit - From the Sacred Heart of Jesus

3nd Sunday of Easter - Peter, feed my sheep.

I appeared several times after my resurrection, before my Ascension into Heaven. I was clothed with my supernatural body, which in its glory was only visible to those to whom I allowed to see it. It was necessary for me to give consolation to the faithful souls who partook of my suffering and to strengthen and give courage to my newly founded Church.

Peter had denied me three times and was still full of guilt. I had chosen Peter to be the head of the Apostles even though I knew of his human weaknesses; after all I had taught him that without me you are nothing. So the time had come to delegate my power and my authority since I was not going to be personally at the command of my flock.

I am the Good Shepherd; I do not leave my sheep unattended. Since they need food, protection, healing and shelter, I entrusted all that care to Peter, my Vicar, the head of my Church.

I asked him three times if He loved me, and of course the answer was “yes Lord, I love you”, this in itself caused healing to his wounds and restored his confidence and dignity as the new Shepherd in charge of my sheep.

I asked him to take care of my sheep and to feed them. On the last supper I had provided the new heavenly manna to feed the world, “my own flesh and my own blood”. I, the creator, had created my self in the consecrated species of bread and wine, which would be consecrated by Peter and all my apostles; and also by those appointed by them as priests. My Church was now secured until the end of times, I was its life then and I continue to be its life now, because my words are spirit and life.

Author: Joseph of Jesus and Mary

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April 14, 2013

Third Sunday of Easter

Reading 1 Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41

Responsorial Psalm Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13

Reading 2 Rev 5:11-14

Gospel Jn 21:1-19

Or Jn 21:1-14

Readings at Mass

He is Risen! Truly Risen!

A blessed Eastertide to all!

Third Sunday of Easter - Year C

Year C

Peter, feed my sheep.

Inspiration of the Holy Spirit - From the Sacred Heart of Jesus