FIRST READING
“We are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit.”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 5 :27b-32.40b-41)
In those days: The high priest questioned the apostles, saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” And they charged the apostles not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the name.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 30:2 and 4.5-6.11- 12 and 13b (R. 2a)
R/. I will extol you, Lord, for you have raised me up.
Or: Alleluia.
I will extol you, Lord, for you have raised me up,
and have not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O Lord, you have lifted up my soul from the grave,
restored me to life from those who sink into the pit. R/.
Sing psalms to the Lord, you faithful ones;
give thanks to his holy name.
His anger lasts a moment; his favour all through life.
At night there are tears, but at dawn comes joy. R/.
R/. I will extol you, Lord, for you have raised me up.
Or: Alleluia.
Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me;
be my helper, O Lord.
You have changed my mourning into dancing.
O Lord my God, I will thank you forever. R/.
SECOND READING
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power hand wealth.”
A reading from the Book of Revelation (Revelation 5: 11-14)
I, John, looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all therein, saying, “To him who sits upon the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might for ever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshipped.
The word of the Lord
Alleluia
Alleluia. Christ has risen, who created all things and has had mercy on the human race. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. ”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 21: 1 – 19)
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 beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you 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, for the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped for work, and sprang into the sea. But 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 there, with fish lying 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, a hundred and 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 to 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.* 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.” A second time he said to him, “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.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the 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. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you fastened your own belt and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will fasten your belt for you and bring you where you do not wish to go.” (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, “Follow me.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
TODAY’S REFLECTION
By the power of the Holy Spirit, the light of the resurrection dispels the darkness of fear, filling us with the awesomeness of God. This sense of awe creates in us fear of the Lord, which is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Fear of the Lord makes us respect God and not want to offend him in any way. It is indeed the beginning of wisdom. The apostles were so filled with this sense of awe that none of them dared to ask the Lord anything. Fear of the Lord makes us bold witnesses of the Lord in all situations. The lack of fear of the Lord can make us put respect for human beings before our respect for God. It can also bring about a grave loss of our sense of the sacred, for example unworthily receiving Holy Communion.