Readings and Themes for the Week of April 18, 2010

Readings for Faith Sharing
Week of April 18, 2010,
Third Sunday of Easter

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

The apostles openly give witness to the power of Jesus' name.

Psalm 30

"I will praise you Lord, for you have rescued me."

Reading II Revelation 5:11-14

John declares the glory of Jesus, The Lamb of God.

Gospel: John 21:1-19

The risen Christ welcomes his own at the seashore.

THEME:

Jesus, feed us so that we can feed and serve others.

In today’s Gospel, we witness one of the Lord’s post-Resurrection appearances. Jesus prepares breakfast for his disciples. Peter, who had betrayed Jesus a few days earlier, is invited to eat the fish Jesus has prepared. Just as Peter had denied Jesus three times, so today he professes his love for Jesus three times. Let us see in this simple seaside meal the expression of reconciliation that today’s Eucharist offers to all who believe.

Questions of the week

Question for Children:

Jesus asks Peter three times if Peter loves Jesus.

What one thing can you do this week to show Jesus you love Him?

Question for Youth:

Jesus asked Peter three times to "feed my sheep".

Whom are you being called to help in your life right now?

Question for Adults:

Christ continues to feed us as his disciples, even after his death and resurrection.

How does the Eucharist feed your faith?

Stewardship
"Lord, you know everything, you know that I love you."

After appearing to the disciples two times in a room behind locked doors in Jerusalem, Jesus reveals Himself a third time to seven of His disciples who are fishing at the northwest end of the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee).

The scene is a reminder of His first call to them to become fishers of men. After preparing and sharing a breakfast of fish with them, Jesus asks Simon Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Peter, who had denied Jesus three times, finally says, “Lord you know everything, you know that I love you”. Peter reveals his great faith in Jesus. Only God knows everything and only God could know what was in Peter’s heart.

When we encounter Jesus He asks us, “Do you love me?” Is our faith in Jesus such that we have no doubt that He is God and that He knows what is in our heart?

How do we respond to Jesus?

Stewardship Expressions

Many people will receive the Sacraments of First Eucharist and Confirmation in April and May.

Celebrate their progression in faith formation.

Pray for their continued development throughout life.

Serve as a good role model and mentor to encourage further personal and spiritual growth.

Stewards mentor others toward a closer relationship with God.