Octave of Easter
14th April 2023 (Friday) Readings and Reflection
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Reading of the Day
First Reading: Acts 3:11-26
In those days: As Peter and John were speaking to the people, [after the lame man was healed,] the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. And when they had set them in the midst, they enquired, "By what power or by what name did you do this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead- by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Psalm 118:1-2 and 4, 22-24, 25-27a (R. 22)
R/. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. Or: Alleluia.
Gospel : John 21:1-14
At that time: Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, do you have any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, one hundred fifty-three of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: Faith troubles!
Indicative: Life is not always smooth-sailing. Especially, when it comes to God and faith, a virtuous and holy life will surely meet with much opposition{alertSuccess}
1. The risen Lord continues to appear to his disciples and tries to confirm their faith for a future mission. However, they are not yet confirmed. That’s why instead of believing and immediately plunging into the Lord’s mission. they would fall back to their old profession of fishing.
2. Did they forget that the Lord specially called them and pulled them out, so that they are no more mere fishers of men, but fishers of souls? But when the Lord is not with them, all their efforts and expertise would go to waste. Peter would admit, “Lord, we toiled the whole night, but caught nothing”.
3. But once the Lord enters the scene, once he takes control of the situation, it would be a miracle. A miracle occurs as soon as they follow the Lord’s direction, “Cast your net over the right side of the boat”. It is a miraculous catch of 153 kinds. When we confide in the risen Lord, we will be filled with the Spirit and courage.
4. Mission becomes unstoppable and undaunted. The more opposition increases, the more faith increases. The more confrontations increase, the more conversion increases. The leaders, elders and scribes laid hands on Peter and John and put them into custody.
5. But ironically, the more the opponents try to restrict or suppress, the faith explodes and the number increases to five thousand. The authorities threaten and intimidate the apostles. But nothing could deter or frighten them. Peter continues to proclaim the gospel boldly. He tries to make them realise that they are accountable.
Imperative: When we meet hurdles and adversities on account of our faith, do we continue to persevere and be loyal{alertSuccess}