2025-04-04 Third Sunday in Easter



2025-04-04 Third Sunday in Easter

Welcome

Welcome everybody - today we will read from pages 76 and 77 for the Third Sunday of Easter.

But first let us say a prayer for the souls of the faithful departed, our beloved Pope Francis and our fellow-parishioner Pat Sweeney

Prayer of St Gertrude for the Souls in Purgatory: 
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family.  Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpectual light shine upon them. May their souls through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

Acts 5:27-32 40b-41

The Acts of the Apostles was written by St Luke, the same author traditionally credited with the Gospel of St Luke. Together the Gospel of St Luke and the Acts of the Apostles make up 25% of the New testament.

Luke is possibly a Gentile convert, possibly from Antioch, identified by St Paul as the “beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14). He accompanied St Paul on his travels (Acts chapter 16 uses the pronoun 'We' - he was very fluent in Greek and very methodical in his narration.

Scholars generally date the Acts of the Apostles to around 80–90 AD, though some propose a slightly earlier date (60–70 AD) or even later (up to early 2nd century). The timing depends on factors such as:
  • The absence of any mention of Paul’s death (which occurred around 64–67 AD),
  • The destruction of the Jerusalem Temple (AD 70),
  • And the literary relationship to Luke’s Gospel.
Acts provides key insight into the spread of Christianity through the Holy Spirit, especially through figures like Peter and Paul. In fact, Acts focuses mainly on Peter, John, and James (briefly), then shifts almost entirely to Paul (who was not one of the original 12). Not mentioned in Acts are the Apostles Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon the Zealot and Judas or Jude (son of James)

Psalm 30

Psalm 30 leaves little doubt that God has a penchant for transforming weeping into joy, darkness into light, even death into life, therefore the use of Psalm 30 on the third Sunday of Easter is most certainly appropriate. Along with the other lessons for the day, it demonstrates that what God did on Easter Sunday was neither a whim nor out of character for God. While it was extraordinarily unparalleled in power and eternal meaning, the resurrection of Jesus is entirely consistent with God’s well-established penchant for transforming weeping into joy, darkness into light, even death into life.
This is what God has done, it is what God is doing, and it is what God promises to continue to do. Therefore, (verse 12) how could our souls be silent and not praise God — how could we not give thanks to God forever?

Revelations 5:11-14

St John of Patmos envisions a liturgy where animals and all living creatures join humanity in joyous celebration of God. it is a shap rebuke to the prevalent power of the day - the powerful Roman Empire. 

The religion of Roman Empire is bound up by protecting power of the Roman Senate, monopolizing violence, casting suspicion on the outsider, focusing on destroying enemies, and stockpiling resources for the few even if it means the rest must go hungry. The Religion of Creation, by sharp contast is rooted in an economy of gift, set on making strangers into neighbors, peace, and laying the groundwork for love of all: enemy, neighbor, stranger, and even love for the more-than-human world.

Revelation 5 introduces the Jesus as the slain and risen Lamb whose praise is joined by “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea” (Revelation 5:13). All heaven breaks loose in singing when the lamb is found worthy to open the scroll.

John 21:1-19

 This account of Jesus's appearance to the Apostles in Galilee has several symbolic implications - but first, let's take a look at the different names for the Sea of Galilee  where most of Jesus's ministry happened
  • Lake Tiberias named by Herod Antipas the son of Herod the Great, after Roman Emperor Tiberius Caesar (reigned AD 14–37) when he establushed the city of Tiberias in 20 AD
  • the Hebrew names are Kinneret or Gennesaret
1. In the Gospel of John, this is a second retelling of Jesus appearing to his Apostles - John 20 gives a detailed account of his appearance, first without Thomas, then with all of them. This re-telling reinforces the mission of the Apostles to become fishers of men
2. Here, there are 7 disciples named - one cannot help but notice that seven is a perfect number. 
3. Confused and lost after losing their Rabbi, these Apostles go back to what they knew - fishing in Galilee. This time, Jesus is waiting for them not in the boat but on the shore, signifying that even when we don't carry Jesus in our hearts, he is waiting for us.
4. Casting the nets when earlier attempts had failed, on hearing Jesus and coming up with a net full, reminds us of Luke's Gospel chapter 5 when Jesus used this command to recruit Peter, Andrew, James and John. Without Jesus they are nothing, but by doing the word of Jesus, they will be abundantly productive
5. 153 fish is a very specific number - and corresponds to the total number of fish known to the Roman world at that time. the idea is all men will be included in the redemptive message of salvation. 
6. Jesus addressing Peter three times near a charcoal fire reminds us of the three times Peter denied Jesus, including one near a charcoal fire on the night of the passion and death in the courtyard of Pontius Pilate

Ending prayer

The Conclave of Cardinals will assemble on May 7th to elect a new Pope - lets take a moment to say a prayer from the Novena for the Conclave
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Heavenly Father, we pray in union with the whole Church for the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Cardinals. May the Princes of the Church listen attentively to Your Spirit during the conclave. Almighty God, we pray that the conclave brings us a Pope who pleases You by guiding Your Church to grow in faithfulness to You. We pray together with the intercession of our Mother Mary and all the Saints. Please Lord, protect and guide your Church during this time of transition. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Read more at: https://www.praymorenovenas.com/novena-for-the-papal-conclave

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail, Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.


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