Easter

The sound of Alleluias fills the 50 days of Easter Sunday to Pentecost as we give thanks for the gift of our salvation. The Easter Triduum recalls the passion and resurrection of Christ in the sacred journey from Holy Thursday to Easter Vigil. "Dying he destroyed our death. Rising he restored our life."

Sunday Readings and Backgrounds

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Third Sunday of Easter

Reading I : Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41

We are all witnesses to all this.

The trial of the disciples described in Acts was their second trial before the Sanhedrin (the highest court of justice in Jerusalem).
The disciples were arrested for disobeying the order to never speak in Jesus’ name again.
In today's passage, the order not to speak of Jesus is repeated by the Sanhedrin.

Reading II : Revelation 5:11-14

The Lamb that was sacrificed is worthy to be given power, wealth, glory, and blessing.

The vision from Revelation presents the heavenly witness to the Risen Christ.
The hymn of praise begins with the voice of angels, all living creatures, and the elders.
The response comes from every creature in heaven and on earth, everything in the universe.

Gospel : John 21:1-19

Jesus stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.

After the resurrection, the disciples returned to their homes in Galilee and to their former occupation of fishing.
Suddenly, the appearance of the Risen Christ transforms all aspects of the disciples' lives.
In the final chapter of today's Gospel, Peter's three denials of Jesus are matched by Jesus' threefold commission to take care of his flock.