Third Sunday of Easter

Today the Church celebrates the Third Sunday of Easter. The assigned readings are Acts 5:27-32, 40-41; Revelation 5:11-14; and John 21:1-19. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 30 (Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 30 "Thanksgiving Hymn for Deliverance"

The Gospel reading is as follows:

At that time, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee's sons, and two others of his disciples.

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. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

Jesus said to them, "Children, have you caught anything to eat?"

They answered him, "No."

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.

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. 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. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.

Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you just caught."

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.

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.

Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"

Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."

Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs."

He then said to Simon Peter a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"

Simon Peter answered him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."

Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep."

Jesus said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"

Peter was distressed that Jesus 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. 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." 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."

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Third Sunday of Easter (April 10, 2016)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflection: Third Sunday of Easter (April 10, 2016)

Community in Mission: Back to the Future - A Meditation on the Gospel for the Third Sunday of Easter (9 APR 16)

Deacon Greg Kandra: "Love Does Not Have to be Perfect": Homily for April 10, 2016: 3rd Sunday of Easter (9 APR 16)

The Sacred Page: Do you love me? Do you really love me? 3rd Sunday of Easter (7 APR 16)

The Sacred Page: Peter the Shepherd & the Papacy (3rd Sunday of Easter) (6 APR 16)

Word on Fire: A Relentlessly Public Religion (Cycle C * Easter * Week 3)

St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology: Fire of Love: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Third Sunday in Easter (1 APR 16)

The Dispatch: The risen Christ to the restored Peter: "Feed my sheep!" (9 APR 16)

Spirituality of the Readings:Do You Love Me? (Third Sunday of Easter C)

Let the Scriptures Speak: Radical Obedience (Third Sunday of Easter C)

The Word Embodied: Peter (Third Sunday of Easter C)

Historical Cultural Context: Competition Among Disciples (Third Sunday of Easter C)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Augustine of Hippo (Third Sunday of Easter C)

Word to Life Radio Broadcast: Third Sunday of Easter (9 APR 16)