LECTIONARY READINGS
First reading: Acts 5:27-32, 40-41
Responsorial psalm: Psalm 29(30):2, 4-6, 11-13
Second reading: Apocalypse 5:11-14
Gospel: John 21:1-19
Link to readings
As we continue the Easter season, today’s joy-filled readings speak of the meaning of discipleship, both in our personal relationship with Jesus and in our relationships with other people.
The apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit (First Reading), continue to proclaim the teachings of Jesus. When confronted by the religious leaders, they insist on obeying God rather than any human authority. The joy of the apostles is based on their faith that God will change our ‘mourning into dancing’, as the Psalm of praise and thanksgiving proclaims. Our merciful God will lift us from our troubles.
The Second Reading presents a vision of heavenly worship, with every creature in the universe praising Jesus as the risen Lamb that was slain: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might forever and ever!’ John recounts Jesus’s third post-Resurrection meeting with the disciples, who have returned to their old ways of fishing (Gospel). Jesus calls to them at dawn, guiding them to a miraculous catch, followed by a shared breakfast. Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him, instructing him to care for his followers.
As we ponder these texts as Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee year, we pray for a spirit of justice and generosity in all situations of conflict, injustice and poverty in our world.
PSALM 29 (30)
R. I will extol you, Lord, for you have raised me up
I will extol you, Lord, for you have raised me up,
and have not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O Lord, you have lifted up my soul from Sheol,
restored me to life from those who sink into the pit.
Sing psalms to the Lord, you faithful ones;
give thanks to his holy name.
His anger lasts a moment;
his favour all through life.
At night come tears, but dawn brings joy.
Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me;
be my helper, O Lord.
You have changed my mourning into dancing.
O Lord my God, I will thank you for ever.
REFLECTION
I gently settle myself into my place of prayer and take some deep breaths. There is no rush. I entrust myself and all my cares into the Lord’s loving hands. I ask the Holy Spirit, spoken of in today’s First Reading, to guide my prayer today.
When I am ready, I may like to picture myself praying this Psalm alongside Jesus and the disciples. It may help to pause after each line, allowing the words to deepen within me. Where am I being drawn? Is there a phrase that especially resonates with me? Maybe I’m reminded of times when the Lord has lifted me up from ‘Sheol’: places of darkness, or times of trouble, desolation, sin, challenge. With a sense of deep gratitude, I speak to the Lord from my heart. I also tell him of any concerns or challenges that I’m facing at the moment and ask for his help.
Perhaps I think of all those who are suffering in any way in the wider world or my own community. I place them in the Lord’s loving hands and ask for his mercy and help. When ready I end my prayer with ‘Glory be . . .’
GOSPEL
John 21: 1–19 (part)
When the disciples got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught . . . Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 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.’ He said to him a second time, ‘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.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was grieved because Jesus 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. And after saying this he said to him, ‘Follow me.’
REFLECTION
I may like to read the whole of today’s appointed Gospel before I begin my time of prayer. When I am ready, I gently become still and turn my attention towards the Lord. He always waits patiently for me, just as the risen Jesus waited at the lakeside for the disciples to recognise his presence. I rest quietly with him now. Perhaps I picture the Gospel scene. What do I notice . . . about the disciples; about Jesus; about myself?
I ponder the response of Peter and the others. How do I recognise the presence of Jesus in my daily life? Do I sometimes need prompting? I watch Jesus’s care for the disciples . . . his preparing and sharing of breakfast . . . his questioning of Peter. What thoughts and emotions are stirring in me?
Perhaps Jesus now asks me: ‘Do you love me?’ How do I respond? How do I express my love for him in my daily life? Or perhaps there’s something that hinders me from loving him fully? I tell Jesus how I’m feeling, and I listen. I ask for whatever grace I need. Giving thanks, I slowly close my prayer, perhaps with St John Henry Newman’s prayer (below), or a prayer of my own choice.
Dear Jesus, help us to spread your fragrance everywhere we go.
Flood our souls with your spirit and life.
Penetrate and possess our whole being, so utterly,
that our lives may only be a radiance of yours.
Shine through us, and be so in us,
that every soul we come in contact with
may feel your presence in our soul.
– Prayer of St John Henry Newman
Courtesy of St Beuno’s Outreach in the Diocese of Wrexham, UK