Reflection for the 3rd Sunday of Easter

Written on: April 27, 2022

First Reading: Acts 5: 27-32, 40b-41
Psalm:  30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13
Second Reading: Revelation 5:11-14
Gospel: John 21:1-14

Written by: Bridget Connor, GNSH

An invitation

A number of years ago, Sister Diane and I were invited to a Kodiak fishing site. The family wanted us to experience what they so enjoyed as a family. There we were in a boat picking the fish from the net. Leon proudly bragged that he was probably the only fisherman to have his two daughters, both pregnant, and two nuns as crew!  He took it easy on the two nuns, but even at that, every muscle ached and our hands stung from many jellyfish bites. Judy prepared dinner. The once in a lifetime gillnet fishing experience with them allowed us to share a meal differently. They invited us into their world.

The disciples were invited into the world of Jesus. At least three years they spent traveling with him. After the crucifixion, and probably not knowing what to do, Peter and friends went fishing all night. Did they wonder what the last three years were all about? What of this Jesus experience? Their empty nets, their broken hearts, their lost sense of direction! If only Jesus were here!

“Cast your net over the right side of the boat and you will find something”! Something about that voice! The beloved recognized it! Yes, it was Jesus.

Jesus had a simple invitation. He prepared a meal for them that morning.

He asked Peter that morning, “Do you love me?”

Jesus gave Peter a new direction. Care for my people, like a shepherd his sheep. Search for the lost one!

Marguerite recognized Jesus voice also and was invited, “Do you love me, Marguerite?

Care for the orphan and neglected.”

April 26, 2022, the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart celebrated their centennial (in the 101^st year of foundation!) We too, were invited into the banquet, and shared stories together. Like Peter and Marguerite, we responded to an invitation. We listened, not sure always what to do, in the face of current suffering: the Ukrainian people, and all families, torn apart by violence and war; the historical racial injustice to our black and brown brothers and sisters; the targeted hatred towards our Jewish and Asian friends; the many refugees who have no home; the friend or family member who suffers.

Jesus asked, “Do you love me?” He invites us to share in his great love and reach out to others to have a share in the banquet.

A printable copy of the reflection can be downloaded here>> Reflection for 3rd Sunday of Easter
Cover Photo courtesy of Fredrik Ohlander/Unsplash

This entry was posted in From our Sisters and tagged: Alaska, banquet, breakfast, broken hearts, care, centennial, crucifixion, dinner, empty nets, families, family member, fishing, friend, injustice, invited, Jesus, lost, love, Marguerite D'Youville, meal, Peter, recognized, Refugees, search, sheep, Shepherd, traveling, Ukrainian