3rd Sunday of Easter 

Acts 5:27-32,​40-41
Psalm 29(30):2,4-6,11-13
Apocalypse 5:11-14
John 21:1-19

EASTER: THE FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIAN HOPE (MINDFUL OF ST. PETER-” MEMOR PETRI”)

We are in the midst of the celebration of our faith during this joyful season of Easter, and today’s Scriptures shine a spotlight on the dynamic figure of St. Peter! Picture him interacting with the risen Jesus and boldly witnessing to his friends about this miraculous event.

Peter truly embodies the human experience—so relatable! As a passionate disciple, he is eager to follow Jesus, yet he grapples with his own weaknesses when it comes to staying the course. His actions and words? Sometimes mismatched, just like us!

In the gripping narrative from St. John’s gospel, we find Peter and some fellow disciples seeking solace in fishing after the devastating loss of Jesus to the Cross. Overwhelmed with emotions, they escape to the water. But then—surprise!—Jesus appears on the shore, calling out playfully to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” He encourages them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat, and against all odds, their nets overflow with a miraculous catch of 153 large fish! It’s John who recognizes Jesus first, and with pure joy, he alerts Peter. Without hesitation, Peter jumps into the water, swimming toward his Savior. What follows is nothing short of a feast—a breakfast of grilled fish and bread prepared by Jesus Himself! What a moment of joy and fellowship!

Then, in an intimate exchange, Jesus turns to Peter and asks, “Do you love me?” This poignant question is echoed three times, with Peter responding fervently each time, “Yes!” Each affirmation carries the weight of a monumental responsibility as Jesus entrusts Peter with the mission to “feed my lambs, feed my sheep”—to shepherd the blossoming Church!

Fast forward to today, and we witness how Peter and his companions poured their hearts into sharing the Good News, overcoming adversity and growing the Church in unimagined ways. Now, we too find ourselves as 21st-century disciples called to spread the love of the Risen Jesus across the globe.

The invitation to love Him and share His Good News with the world resonates deeply in our hearts! We have been nourished by the Holy Eucharist, enriched through the Scriptures and Sacraments, and inspired by fellow believers. Like those early disciples, we balance our strengths with our imperfections, yet we are encouraged to press on and live out our faith boldly as true Easter People.

What adventures await us today and tomorrow? For St. Peter, it meant seizing further incredible opportunities and facing daunting challenges, ultimately leading to his courageous martyrdom. As our Church embarks on a pivotal moment of discernment with the Conclave of Cardinals selecting a new Pope, we too must move forward, filled with the spirit of Easter!

Let us embrace the blessings and rise to the challenge of being authentic messengers of hope in our fractured world. Together, let’s proclaim our “Amen!” and shout a resounding Easter “Alleluia!” Let’s make this journey together, united in faith and excitement!

Fr Joseph Osho