Fourth Sunday of Easter ‘C’

Today’s First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles tells us how the Holy Spirit transformed Peter from a man fearful of powerful men into a brave witness to the Resurrection. Peter stands before the Jewish Supreme Court – the Sanhedrin - boldly declaring that he and the others must obey God rather than men.

The Second Reading, taken from Revelation, presents John’s vision of the Risen Lord as the glorified “Lamb of God,” enthroned in Heaven. The Book of Revelation is an expression of Christian hope in the Risen Lord.

The Gospel tells the post-Resurrection story of our merciful Savior Who goes in search of His disappointed disciples. The incident proves that Jesus’ post-Resurrection appearances were not mere illusions.

In the first part of today’s Gospel, the risen Jesus appears to His disciples and gives them a symbol of their mission in a miraculous catch of fish followed by a breakfast prepared by Jesus. In the second part Jesus asks Simon three times whether he loves him. Peter answers that he does, as if in reparation for his triple denial of Jesus. Peter, as a forgiven sinner, is chosen for the quality of his love to serve as leader in a community of friends. He is given the mission of caring for the vulnerable lambs and sheep, and he is told that fidelity to this mission will lead him to martyrdom.

We need to open our eyes, ears and hearts to see, hear and experience the Risen Lord coming into our lives in various forms and events. We often fail to acknowledge the presence of the Risen Lord behind our successes, achievements, promotions at work, miraculous healings, and good relationships. He is right there: in our celebrations and occasions of rejoicing. The Risen Lord is also present in our pains and suffering. The Acts of the Apostles in chapter tells us how the Risen Lord transformed the life of Saul on the Damascus road and making him temporarily blind. The same Jesus often visits us in the form of accidents, illnesses, the loss of dear ones, pain and suffering.

The Risen Lord visits us through our friends and supporters. He is present in those who visit us and encourage us in our moments of sadness and despair. The Risen Lord visits us in the form of unexpected help from the least expected people when we need Him most.

He is present in our Christian worship. He is present on our altar during Holy Mass to share His life with us. He is present in the Words of Holy Scripture. Jesus is in the Sacraments and He is there where two or three are gathered in His name (Mt 18:20).