First Reading: Acts 5:27-32, 40B-41
Reflection:
This Sunday’s first reading recounts the happenings of some of the earliest days of the Church. After the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, the Apostles and other disciples of Jesus proclaimed the gospel to those in Jerusalem first, and later to people all over the Roman Empire. While many accepted the message and were converted and baptized, many also rejected it. This was especially true of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. The governing council of the Jews was called the Sanhedrin. In this Sunday’s first reading, the Apostles were brought before this council and put on trial. Previously, they had been charged not to preach in the name of Jesus. But they had disregarded that order for as they say here, “We must obey God rather than men.” Once again, the Sanhedrin charged them not to preach in the name of Jesus. And, once again, they disregarded that order and continued to spread the message of the gospel. Why? Their faith and courage is something we can emulate. They chose to obey God rather than men and suffered because of that. Yet, they rejoiced in their sufferings for the sake of Christ. Let us, therefore, also obey God, even when it is not popular or socially acceptable to do so, and rejoice even if we suffer and are persecuted because of doing God’s will.
Second Reading: Revelation 5:11-14
Reflection:
This Sunday we continue to hear from the mysterious revelations of the Apostle John on the island of Patmos. In his vision of heaven, John saw the throne of God and surrounding it were “living creatures” and “elders.” The “living creatures” are the angels and the “elders” represent all the saints. Both of these groups were “countless in number.” They were proclaiming unending praise of “the Lamb that was slain.” This Lamb, of course, is Jesus Christ. He is the new Passover Lamb who was sacrificed so that we could be set from sin and become saints, one day joining in this eternal worship of the Lord. Do you desire to become a saint more than anything else? Sanctity is possible for all of us because of Jesus’ death and resurrection and the grace and forgiveness offered to us through those events. Let us all, therefore, seek to grow in holiness and set our eyes on the goal of Heaven.
Gospel Reading: John 21:1-19
Reflection:
In this post-resurrection encounter with Jesus, we find many of the Apostles doing what they had done before they started following Jesus. They went back to their trade as fishermen on the Sea of Galilee. The encounter here parallels the initial calling of Peter and his fishing partners, James and John. At that initial call, after a night of catching nothing, Jesus had instructed Peter to go out again and drop his nets where Jesus directed him. As a result, they caught more fish than they could handle. Here, also, Jesus instructed them to cast their nets in a certain place and the result was a catch beyond what they could manage. With that, the disciples recognized Jesus. Peter’s excitement could not be contained and so he jumped out of the boat and swam to the shore. The mention of a “charcoal fire” is important here because it was at a “charcoal fire” that Peter had denied the Lord three times at the trial of Jesus, mere weeks before this encounter. Jesus’ three questions to Peter parallel his three denials and were, therefore, a reconciliation and reinstatement for Peter. The Apostle Peter would go on to put his love for the Lord into action as the leader of the Church, suffering for the sake of Christ (as we saw in the first reading), and even being crucified (as is alluded to at the end of this gospel reading).
Application:
- Are you willing to “obey God rather than men,” if you have to make the choice? Are you willing to experience suffering and persecution as a result of following God’s will? How can you emulate the faith and courage of the Apostles in the first reading?
- What action steps do you need to take in order to grow in holiness?
- Have you ever denied or rejected Jesus by your actions? Jesus is willing and able to reconcile you with God and reinstate you in a right relationship with Him. Are you willing to accept His forgiveness and love Him in return, like Peter did?
