A reading from the Acts of the Apostles
(Chapter 5:27-32, 40b-41)
In this reading, the author describes the enthusiasm and determination exhibited by the apostles only because they had encountered the risen Christ. The scene is almost comic as the religious authorities sternly forbid the apostles from teaching in the name of Jesus, and the apostles respond almost as though they hadn’t heard a word their tormenters had said.
As we know, the apostles and other disciples continued spreading the good news and felt privileged to do so. Many of them were martyred, but the gospel couldn’t be stifled. We have the testimony and example of these followers of Jesus. Do we have their exuberance and fearlessness when it comes to declaring ourselves disciples of Christ and inviting others to join us?
Responsorial Psalm
(Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13)
This psalm could refer to the apostles, who went into hiding when Jesus was being arrested, tormented, and murdered but who emerged after the resurrection as an evangelizing powerhouse. We may at times be afraid, in our increasingly secular environment, to make our faith in Jesus known, but we, too, can shake off our reticence and show the world by word and example that we are members of his Body, the Church.
A reading from the Book of Revelation
(Chapter 5:11-14)
The vision described in this passage continues the theme and invites us to consider whether we practice our faith by rote or whether we are full of joy and gratitude over the gift of Jesus Christ—so full of joy and gratitude that the world can’t help but know that we are his disciples.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John
(Chapter 21:1-19)
In the episode described in today’s gospel reading, Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?” When Peter responds, “You know that I love you,” Jesus answers, “Tend my lambs,” “Tend my sheep,” “Feed my sheep.” The lesson for us is that discipleship doesn’t consist only of affirming our love for Jesus; it also consists of loving each other, without exception, and tending and feeding those who are in material, emotional, or spiritual need.
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Painting: The Miraculous Draught of Fishes, Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino (Raphael), 1515. Royal Collection, Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Lent by Her Majesty the Queen. Public domain.
Excerpts from the English translation of the Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL). All rights reserved.
Charles Paolino is managing editor at RENEW International and a permanent deacon of the Diocese of Metuchen.