May 4, 2025 – 3rd Sunday of Easter

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Things to talk about:

• It took a little while for the apostles to realize Jesus was with them. Share a time when you realized that Jesus was near to you.
• If you had breakfast with Jesus, what would you talk about?
• How would you answer to Jesus if he asked you, “Do you love me?”
• How can you teach others about Christ’s love with our words and actions??

Things to do:

• Peter denied Jesus three times. In this Gospel, Jesus gives him the opportunity to affirm his love three times: “Do you love me?” – This isn’t just about Peter’s love, but a healing question. Jesus restores Peter by meeting his failure with grace. Forgive someone this week.
• The disciples fished all night and caught nothing—until Jesus told them where to cast the net. They caught 153 fish, yet the net didn’t break. This shows us Jesus as the source of abundance, giving us even more than we need. Celebrate Jesus’ great love with a dinner of fish and bread.
• Jesus doesn’t just forgive Peter—He recommissions him:
  “Feed my lambs… Tend my sheep…”
  “Follow me.” This is a direct call to lead with love, and to follow even when it’s hard. Be aware this week of situations that require you to lead with love. Lead others to Jesus with your example and words.
• May is Mary’s month ...Make a Rosary
  The Rosary is a devotional prayer that has been used for centuries to call on the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The rosary itself can also be used for the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
  Rosary-making kits can be purchased at local religious stores or online. You can make one at home with some beads and a pipe cleaner. Put 10 beads on the pipe cleaner in the center. Twist the two ends of the pipe cleaner together where the beads end. Pull those two pieces together tight and slide another bead over them together. Twist again and you have all the beads you need. You can get more creative and add a cross made of beads at the bottom.
  https://www.reallifeathome.com/rosary-craft-for-kids/

Closing Prayer

Prayer to elect the new Pope

The conclave to elect the new pope begins on Wednesday, May 7. Please pray daily while the cardinals are gathering.

“O God, eternal pastor, you who govern your people with a father’s care, give your church a pontiff acceptable to you for his holiness of life and wholly consecrated to the service of your people.”

Name those who need our prayers. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Read more about How the Conclave works…., Inside the Conclave 2025

Catholic Insights

This Gospel is a rich and textured story that speaks of Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist and our commission to serve others as Jesus taught us.

Jesus calls to the disciples from the shore, they do not recognize him immediately. Still, they follow the stranger’s instructions and bring in a large haul of fish. It is at this point that one of the disciples (the “disciple whom Jesus loved”) realizes that Jesus is appearing to them. Upon hearing this, Simon Peter leads the way again, jumping from the boat and swimming to shore. The other disciples follow in the boat, dragging the fish.

Once on the shore, they see that Jesus has already prepared fish and bread on a charcoal fire. Jesus is host at the meal that follows, feeding the disciples the bread and fish. In this detail we see allusions to the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and the fishes told in John 6. There are also connections to the Eucharist, we too are fed by Jesus in the bread and wine that have become his very Body and Blood. At the Presentation of the Gifts,  we bring to the altar, bread and wine, from gifts that God gave first to us: grain and grapes, the fruit of the earth. God accepts the offering we bring—bread and wine, “the work of human hands”—and transforms our offering into the gift of his very presence.

After the meal, Jesus talks to Simon Peter. The community of John’s Gospel probably looked down on Peter because of his denial of Jesus. This dialogue with Simon Peter is a reversal of Peter’s three denials. Peter is forgiven. Having been restored to friendship with Jesus, Simon Peter is sent on a mission. “Feed my lambs . . . Tend my sheep . . . Feed my sheep.” These commands indicate Peter’s future role. As Jesus has fed Peter in this meal and as Jesus feeds us in the Eucharist, so he also sends us to follow him, asking that we offer our lives in service and sacrifice. He asks us too, “Do you love me?”

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Did you know….several of Jesus’ apostles were fisherman? Peter and his brother Andrew and Thomas,   Nathaniel (also known as Bartholomew) and Zebedee’s sons James and John are mentioned in this Gospel, along with two others. Their job ultimately translated well into becoming “fishers of people.”
 

Resources adapted from 52Sundays.com, Celebrating the Lectionary, At Home with the Word, Celebrating Families, Sunday Connection