A Catholic priest since 1997, Fr. Andrew Ricci is currently the rector of the Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior, WI. His website "Three Great Things" can be found at studyprayserve.com and his podcasts can be found under "Catholic Inspiration" in the iTunes store.
Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?” three times, underscoring the Lord’s loving response to our human weaknesses by meeting us where we are and inviting us to love as God loves us.
Returning to the other disciples with praise and prayer, Peter and John recount the Sanhedrin’s response to a healing miracle done in the name of Jesus Christ.
Let’s examine some of the themes that we discover in the Mass readings for the 3rd Sunday of Easter.
1st Reading – Acts of the Apostles 5:27-32,40b-41
The Apostles are brought before the Sanhedrin and ordered to stop speaking about Jesus.
Peter replies, “We must obey God rather than men,” and the Apostles rejoice that they have been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name of Jesus.
Psalm – 30:4-6,11-13
“I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.”
We give thanks to God who has pity on us and changes our mourning into dancing.
2nd Reading – Revelation 5:11-14
John has a vision of countless angelic and human creatures giving praise to the “Lamb that was slain.”
All of creation echoes the words of blessing and honor as they worship the Lamb.
Gospel – John 21:1-19
After the resurrection, Jesus is revealed to some of the disciples on the Sea of Tiberias.
Jesus asks Peter three times, “Peter, do you love me?”