Octave of Easter
1st Reading: Acts 4:1-12
After the crippled man had been cured, while Peter and John were still speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees confronted them, disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They laid hands on Peter and John and put them in custody until the next day, since it was already evening. But many of those who heard the word came to believe and the number of men grew to about five thousand. On the next day, their leaders, elders, and scribes were assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly class. They brought them into their presence and questioned them, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them, “Leaders of the people and elders: If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, namely, by what means he was saved, then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed. He is the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.”
Gospel: Jn 21:1-14
Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.
GOD LOVES HUMANITY: Jesus had stayed with his disciples for three years teaching them the Truth. He had performed miracles and preached all about God and His plan of Salvation. However, after His death, they still went back to their past life. Jesus had died and risen, but they could not recognize Him. While in their former life fishing, they had a night of frustration, for they were trying to do what God had not called them for. Jesus still comes after them and they soon experience hope and joy. We are often furtrated when ever we try to do contrary to God’s will. Success and true happiness only comes when we engage in the plan of God. We are called today to repent and pursue God’s Will. God’s love is sufficient. He shall not treat us according to our past. He wants us all to be saved. Let us recognize Him in our simple actions, as we share meals with others.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be kind to others.
*****
GOD LOVES HUMANITY: Jesus had stayed with his disciples for three years teaching them the Truth. He had performed miracles and preached all about God and His plan of Salvation. However, after His death, they still went back to their past life. Jesus had died and risen, but they could not recognize Him. While in their former life fishing, they had a night of frustration, for they were trying to do what God had not called them for. Jesus still comes after them and they soon experience hope and joy. We are often furtrated when ever we try to do contrary to God’s will. Success and true happiness only comes when we engage in the plan of God. We are called today to repent and pursue God’s Will. God’s love is sufficient. He shall not treat us according to our past. He wants us all to be saved. Let us recognize Him in our simple actions, as we share meals with others.
****
I AM GOING FISHING: Even though Peter saw the signs of the resurrection at the empty tomb (Jn 20:6-7) he has not yet believed in the resurrection, unlike the beloved disciple (Jn 20:8). He is almost giving up: “I am going fishing,” he says. He is going back to his old profession, and to his old way of life; backsliding. With this gesture, he misleads the others: “We also will come with you.” This decision turns out to be a futile exercise; they catch nothing. The message from Jesus is “Without me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). Jesus meets them in that struggle of trying to remain faithful, and be fruitful. Though there is plenty and abundance in Jesus, without him the disciples catch nothing. Could this be our experience? When we see signs, are we quick to believe the signs of His presence?
DAILY GOSPEL 