III Sunday of Easter:[C]: Act 5:27-32,40-41; Rev 5:11-14; Jn 21:1-19

III Sunday of Easter:[C]: Act 5:27-32,40-41; Rev 5:11-14; Jn 21:1-19

The Sacrament of the Eucharist is known by this and other titles, discussed in the Catechism.  "The Lord's Supper, because of its connection with the supper which the Lord took with his disciples on the eve of his Passion and because it anticipates the wedding feast of the Lamb in the heavenly Jerusalem.(1Cor 11:20; Rev 19:9)

"The Breaking of Bread” because Jesus used this rite, part of a Jewish meal, when as master of the table he blessed and distributed the bread, (Mt 14:19; 15:36; Mk 8:6,19) above all at the Last Supper. (Mt 26:26; 1 Cor 11:24) It is by this action that his disciples will recognize him after his Resurrection, (Luke 24:13-35) and it is this expression that the first Christians will use to designate their Eucharistic assemblies; (Acts 2:42, 26; 20:7, 11) by doing so they signified that all who eat the one broken bread, Christ, enter into communion with him and form but one body in him.(1 Cor 10:16-17). So also called, “Holy Communion”.

We are led to the Easter Christ in the Eucharist by this beautiful and moving account of our Lord's appearance to the disciples.  There are two accounts that show the risen Christ in communion sharing with the disciples: i.e. 1) Eating at the seashore (John 21:1-19) and 2) Breaking the bread at the completion of the travel to Emmaus. (Luke 24:13-35)

Joke: A four-year-old was in church when the precious blood and the body of Jesus were passed out. He was very interested in this, and started to get up. His mother leaned over and told him that he was not old enough to partake in the Communion.

Later, when the collection plate came by, he ignored it. His mother again leaned over and tried to coax the nickel out of him. He steadfastly refused, stating, “If I can't eat, I’m not paying.”

Anecdote: A well-known speaker began a seminar by holding up a $20 bill.  He asked the audience, “Who would like to have this $20 bill?"   Hands started going up.   He then said, “I am going to give this $20 to one of you, but first, let me do this.” He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up. He then asked, “Who still wants it?”   The hands remained in the air.  "Well,” he added, “What if I do this?”  He dropped it to the floor and proceeded to grind it with his shoe.  He picked it up, crumpled and dirty.  "Now who still wants it?” Still a few hands were raised because the bill had not decreased in value.  It was still worth $20.     Many times in our lives, we feel crumpled and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way.  We feel as though we are worthless.   No matter what has happened to us, however, we never lose our value in God’s eyes.   The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we are, but from Him to whom we belong!  We are special – let us never forget it!  This is the lesson of today’s gospel, which tells us how Jesus chose Peter to be the leader of his Church, even though Peter had denied him three times.

Shattered as they were by His crucifixion and death, news of which had been passed throughout the cities and towns from Jerusalem, the disciples were in need of the greatest gift of heaven, to fill them again with hope, to give them undying faith in the Risen Lord. And so the Catechism leads our thoughts to the presence of the risen Lord whom we worship, adore, praise and receive in the Mass, the "Lord's Supper."

We need to start with our own relationship to Christ. Before Jesus tells Peter to tend his sheep, he asks, "Do you love me?" Prayer has to come first. When St. Monica asked the Bishop Ambrose what to do about her pagan son, he told her, "Before you talk to Augustine about God, make sure you talk to God about Augustine." It’s a great advice and Prayer - especially before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Hear him and then ask, "Do you love me?"

Practical Applications: 1) Holy Eucharist strengthens us; give us courage in life to witness Christ Jesus. It demands a dedicated life of faith. 2) Holy Eucharist clears our doubts and makes us learned. 3) Holy Eucharist lead us to examine our conscience by answering his question of love and receive him worthily. 4) Our feeling of unworthiness to receive Holy Eucharist shows our love of Jesus.  Many a times Holy Eucharist helps us to live a worthy life of faith.

Introduction: Third Sunday of Easter

Message: Jesus appears to seven of his disciples, among them Peter who proclaims his unfailing love for the Lord.  Jesus commissions him to feed the sheep.  Later, in face of persecution, Peter and the apostles proclaim the name of Jesus, the lamb who was slain and who rescues us from death.

Saints and Events in this week: 17-Wednesday; Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin; 18-Thursday; Blessed Mary-Anne Blondin, Virgin