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Word To Life
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Sunday Scripture Readings: April 22, 2007
By Beverly Corzine
Catholic News Service
April 22, Third Sunday of Easter
Cycle C Readings:
1) Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41
Psalm 30:2, 4-6
2) Revelation 5:11-14
3) Gospel: John 21:1-19
One brisk fall day I had to return home to retrieve a forgotten book. As I opened the door, the spicy smell of saut,ing onions and green peppers greeted me.
Standing at the kitchen sink, my husband said, "What are you doing here? Forget your book?"
I nodded. "I thought you said you weren't making soup today."
"I changed my mind," he said, with a rather quizzical smile.
I entered the living room, which is shrouded in near darkness during the fall and winter. In the corner of my eye I saw a figure standing to my right, but recognition was slow in coming. Then he stepped closer. Finally, the smiling face of our dear friend Sal registered. An explosion of laughing, crying, hugging and explaining ensued.
Sal, whom we had not seen in six years, had a layover at the airport. Sal and Winford had been planning to visit me at work, but my unexpected appearance set the stage for a double surprise on an ordinary day.
The element of surprise is at play again as John prepares us for the third post-resurrection appearance of Jesus. After all the events that have elapsed since the crucifixion, a small group of apostles and disciples return to the familiar seashore. It seems the men haven't decided how to fill their time after the action-filled years of following Jesus. Although some have witnessed the resurrected Christ, they are men without a plan.
Finally, Peter decides to do something like we ourselves might do in this situation -- something ordinary: "I am going fishing," he announces, which must have seemed a good idea because the others pile into the boat with him.
After a long night without catching a single fish, the men recognize a familiar figure on the shore. Soon nets bulge with fish. Hungry men fill themselves with breakfast.
In this almost surreal scene, Jesus probes the heart of Peter with the penetrating question: "Do you love me?"
As Jesus digs deeper with each question, Peter answers an emotional yes.
Jesus has no words of condemnation for the man who denied him. Jesus prefers love, grace and commitment.
If we listen, Jesus continues to ask, "Do you love me?" If our answer is yes, we will discover "sheep" that need our care.
QUESTIONS:
When have you been surprised by an opportunity to tend God's loved ones? How did you respond, and how did your response affect you?
SCRIPTURE TO BE ILLUSTRATED:
"Do you love me more than these?" (John 21:15)
END
Copyright © 2006 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS Word To Life column may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service.
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