Saint Rita Catholic Church and School in Webster, NY - An Introduction to the Sunday Scripture Readings

“We Must Obey God Rather Than Men”

We continue this Sunday to hear eye-witness accounts of encounters with the risen Jesus Christ and the effect He had on those who loved Him. Our readings today highlight the primacy of Peter among the Apostles and the primacy of love and faithfulness in following Jesus, despite all opposition. We also hear in the Book of Revelation of John’s visions of the universal Church giving praise and glory to the “Lamb that was slain.”

In our first reading (Acts of the Apostles 5:27-32, 40b-41), the apostles are brought before the Sanhedrin for fearlessly teaching in the name of Jesus after being instructed not to do so. They were flogged for their offense, yet went away rejoicing that they were found worthy to suffer for the sake of Jesus.

In our second reading (Revelation 5:11-14), we hear another of John’s apocalyptic visions of heaven. This vision declared the kingship and authority of the “Lamb that was slain” (Jesus). “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing.”

In our Gospel reading (John 21:1-19), Jesus appeared a third time to His disciples; this time at the Sea of Tiberias. There are a few keynotes in this reading. First, after fishing all night with nothing, Jesus overfilled their nets - a symbol of the great numbers who would become Christians. Second, Jesus reversed Peter’s three denials on the night of his betrayal with His three times asking, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” to which Peter responded, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus responded “Tend my sheep.” Jesus thus installed Peter as the shepherd of His Church. Thirdly, the fact that Jesus shared a breakfast meal with His Apostles clearly indicated He was not merely a ghost or apparition but that His glorified human body was capable of eating food.

We can find no better example of how to evangelize than the Apostles. They boldly and fearlessly proclaimed the risen Christ to the world, regardless of the consequences. “We must obey God rather than men”, they said. Look what these twelve men and others accomplished as a result—not on their own but with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit. May we also recognize the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives today.

bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050425.cfm