1 May 2022: Third Sunday of Easter C

Reading 1	Response	Reading 2	Gospel
Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41	Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13	Rev 5:11-14	Jn 21:1-19 or Jn 21:1-14
RCL: Acts 9:1-6 (7-20)			RCL: Jn 21:1-19

Eastertime: continuing encounters with the risen Lord

In the Easter season, Jesus appears to his disciples and explains his resurrection’s meaning; reveals himself in the upper room and at the Sea of Tiberias; gives his disciples a sign and a commandment to love one another; teaches about the coming Paraclete; and prays for oneness of those whom he sends into the world. Today’s readings invite us to find the risen and glorified Christ at work in the world.

First reading (Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41)

Throughout the Easter season, the first reading is a semi-continuous reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Luke’s continuing story of how the ekklesia spread from Jerusalem to Rome. In today’s pericope, the apostles are tried by the Sanhedrin a second time. At the first trial (Acts 4:5-22), the Sanhedrin ordered the apostles “never again to speak to anyone in this name,” that is, Jesus’ name. The apostles, following the Spirit’s prompting, continue to proclaim the risen Jesus, and again are brought before Jerusalem’s religious leaders. In an ironic twist, the high priest accuses the apostles of “bringing this man’s blood” on the Jewish leadership. In his kerygmatic (essential gospel proclamation) reply, Peter states that the religious leaders executed Jesus (“hanging him on a tree”). God raised and “exalted” Jesus as “savior to grant Israel metanoia and forgiveness.” Peter concludes by saying that “God has given the Spirit to all who obey God.” In another ironic twist, the religious leaders reject obedience to God and God’s offer of forgiveness. In the Sanhedrin’s rejection of God and forgiveness, Luke shows religious authority and leadership passing from the Sanhedrin to the apostles. In a final irony, the apostles rejoice in the dishonor that teaching in Jesus’ name brings them. The Lectionary editors chose this reading because of the continuing Easter theme of Peter’s kerygma or proclamation of the risen and exalted Jesus.

Second reading (Rev 5:11-14)

Throughout the Easter season, the second reading is a semi-continuous reading from Revelation, the last and most misunderstood writing in Christian scripture. Revelation‘s end-time visions describe God’s judgement and triumph over evil. John the seer writes to give hope and comfort to his oppressed community. In today’s pericope, John the seer describes the liturgy that takes place in heaven. God, surrounded by the divine council (the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders), gives the seven-sealed scroll to the Lamb (the risen and glorified Christ). The divine council begins chanting a four-part hymn that glorifies God and the Lamb. In the first part (Rv 5:8-10), the divine council worships the Lamb. In the second part (Rv 5:11-12), countless angels acclaim the Lamb “worthy” to open the scroll and to inaugurate God’s kingdom. In the third part (Rv 5:13), the entire universe joins the divine council in a doxology (song of praise) glorifying God and the Lamb. When the entire universe concludes its praise, the divine council assents “amen!” and worships God and the Lamb. The Lectionary editors chose this reading for its Easter theme: worship of the risen and glorified Christ as the Lamb who was slain.

Gospel (Jn 21:1-19)

John’s gospel describes a final resurrection appearance to the disciples. Scripture scholars agree that a later editor added the epilogue (Jn 21) in the early second century, possibly shortly after the death of the beloved disciple. Today’s pericope shows the risen Jesus revealing himself in signs and in the gathered community, and authorizing Peter’s servant-leader role.

• A miracle and a meal. Peter’s and the disciples’ decision to go fishing leads to their encounter with the risen Jesus and a miraculous catch of fish. The catch’s superabundance is a sign that the messianic age has begun. Beside a charcoal fire, Jesus prepares a meal of fish and bread for the gathered disciples, recalling the multiplication of loaves and fish (Jn 6:1-13). The narrator uses “came,” “take,” and “give” (Jn 21:13) to set the meal in a eucharistic context. The miracle and meal show the believing community gathered and Jesus revealing himself in the community’s central act of worship.
• What about Peter? Peter, leader of the disciples, damaged his relationship with Jesus by denying Jesus three times (Jn 18:17, Jn 18:25-26). Now Jesus invites Peter to restore that relationship by asking three times: “Peter, do you love me?” Each time Peter answers, Jesus assigns him a pastoral (leadership) task: “feed” and “shepherd” my disciples. In accepting Jesus’ commission to service, Peter conforms to the definition of true discipleship. Jesus’ proverb about youth and age (“when you were young”/”when you grow old”) foretells that Peter’s unconditional love and service leads to his eventual martyrdom (“where you would not go”). Finally, Jesus again asks Peter to “Follow me.” The story closes with Peter literally walking behind Jesus, but the story’s hearers know that Peter’s discipleship continued to the end of his life.

Summary and reflection

Jesus’ resurrection has many meanings and many implications. Throughout the Easter season, the readings invite us to reflect on this cosmos-changing event. In Acts, Peter obediently proclaims the risen Jesus, despite the religious leaders’ rejection and ban. In Revelation, John the seer describes the entire universe worshiping God and the risen and glorified Christ for inaugurating God’s kingdom. John’s gospel shows the risen Lord continuing to care for his disciples and commissioning Peter to serve the growing community.

Jesus’ invitation to discipleship and service comes with gifts and costs. Do we rejoice and proclaim the risen Jesus and his message, even when friends, family, or those in authority reject or oppose what we say? Do we join the entire universe in worship of the God who saves all, even when others demand salvation is limited to a select group? Do we find the risen Jesus revealed in community and willingly accept our commissions to serve, even when others deny Jesus’ presence and unconditional love?

—Terence Sherlock