Third Sunday of Easter (2)

Title

Spiritual Grace Comes from Obeying the Suffering Christ

Outline

I have read a number of books and articles on leadership

They usually talk about have a good self-concept

Then they talk about leading with the air of authority

That means brooking no contradiction once one has made their decision

If one has doubts, then “fake it until you make it”

That is what has gotten Mr Putin in trouble, but he is only the latest and most obvious leader to do follow that path

How different are our readings

In Acts the real leaders obey the one leader

The Sanhedrin and the high priest had all the marks and perks of leadership; they arrested the Apostles in order to eliminate dissent

But Peter and the other apostles were convinced that God had inspired their teaching, that he had commanded them to preach in the Temple, and so, when they were forbidden to preach, “We must obey God rather than men.”

They followed the crucified Christ, so when unjustly flogged in public, “they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.” They viewed it as closer identification with the Christ who suffered and therefore an honor.

They did not threaten the Sanhedrin, although they did proclaim the truth they had witnessed.

In Revelation they worship the lamb who suffered

Earlier in the chapter John hears about “the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David” who “has conquered.

He looks and instead of a lion sees a lamb with its throat freshly slit.

He was slaughtered as an offering because he followed the will of God.

Therefore all heaven calls out, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

Finally our gospel has this lamb as the God-man giving commands

Tired expert fishermen are told where to fish; they obey and the catch reveals the “fish buyer” to be the Lord.

After giving them breakfast, he speaks to Peter: “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Three times, once for each denial, but never with a cutting word.

Peter responds with a heartfelt confession he, I am sure, wished he had made in the high priest’s courtyard, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus three times repeats the second instruction of the day: “Feed my lambs” or “tend my sheep” or “feed my sheep.” That is messy and sometimes stinky work, not work that will get you places in society. But Peter will stick to it for 30 or 35 years.

But Jesus also gives a prediction. Your future will be, not a golden throne in a cathedral in Rome (later, less glorious Popes would enjoy that) but a cross outside the city gates of Rome.

A long obedience in the same direction will be rewarded with identification with the suffering Christ.

Sisters, this is the stuff of Christian leadership

It is not that we seek suffering or deny that suffering hurts.

It is that we hear the call of God, or our Lord, sometimes directly, sometimes through his appointed leaders, and we say a determined “Yes.”

And we find that the kids we teach, young or old, are not always cute little duckings all in a row trotting after us, but at times like messy sheep. And we also discover that the leaders of this age are not applauding us but may persecute us - sisters and priests in the Ukraine are dying as they try to care for their flocks. And that gives us joy, not because it feels good, but because we know we are experientially closer to the lamb that was slain and therefore closer to experiencing life in union with him in his resurrection.

Spiritual Grace Comes from Obeying the Suffering Christ.

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings 5-1-2022: Third Sunday of Easter

FIRST READING

Acts 5:27–32, 40b–41

27 When they had brought them in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, 28 “We gave you strict orders [did we not?] to stop teaching in that name. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles said in reply, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, as is the holy Spirit that God has given to those who obey him.”

40 After recalling the apostles, they had them flogged, ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. 41 So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.

Catholic Daily Readings 5-1-2022: Third Sunday of Easter

RESPONSE

Psalm 30:2a

2 I praise you, LORD, for you raised me up

and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.

PSALM

Psalm 30:2, 4–6, 11–13

2 I praise you, LORD, for you raised me up

and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.

4 LORD, you brought my soul up from Sheol;

you let me live, from going down to the pit.

5 Sing praise to the LORD, you faithful;

give thanks to his holy memory.

6 For his anger lasts but a moment;

his favor a lifetime.

At dusk weeping comes for the night;

but at dawn there is rejoicing.

11 Hear, O LORD, have mercy on me;

LORD, be my helper.”

12 You changed my mourning into dancing;

you took off my sackcloth

and clothed me with gladness.

13 So that my glory may praise you

and not be silent.

O LORD, my God,

forever will I give you thanks.

Catholic Daily Readings 5-1-2022: Third Sunday of Easter

SECOND READING

Revelation 5:11–14

11 I looked again and heard the voices of many angels who surrounded the throne and the living creatures and the elders. They were countless in number, 12 and they cried out in a loud voice:

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain

to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength,

honor and glory and blessing.”

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out:

“To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be blessing and honor, glory and might,

forever and ever.”

14 The four living creatures answered, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Catholic Daily Readings 5-1-2022: Third Sunday of Easter

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Text

GOSPEL

Option A

John 21:1–19

CHAPTER 21

1 After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. 2 Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” 6 So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. 7 So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. 9  When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” [Jesus] said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings 5-1-2022: Third Sunday of Easter

SUNDAY, MAY 1, 2022 | EASTER

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

YEAR C | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

First Reading Acts 5:27–32, 40b–41

Response Psalm 30:2a

Psalm Psalm 30:2, 4–6, 11–13

Second Reading Revelation 5:11–14

Gospel Acclamation Text

Gospel John 21:1–19 or John 21:1–14

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