Reflection on the Third Sunday of Easter

Acts 5: 27-41          Revelation 5:11-14          John 21:1-19

Today’s Scripture readings continue the Easter season’s focus on Jesus and his followers in the early days after his death and resurrection. They are perfect for this week of the Papal Conclave since we generally understand these passages as snapshots of the emerging Church community. With the conclave on our minds, we naturally focus on Peter and on Jesus’ actions in forming Peter as the rock upon which Jesus’ Church will rest.

In today’s Gospel reading, as in similar passages, Jesus appears to be teaching the disciples the responsibilities of Church leaders. He guides the work of his disciples — “throw the net to the right” — and he prepares a meal to nourish them. All to give Peter an example to follow, that he is to shepherd the flock and tend to the wellbeing of the community. 

There is more going on here, however. It is something quite different from Church-building. I read up on John’s Gospel a bit. Scripture scholars believe the writer had little interest in the structures and functions of the early Church. Rather, the Gospel of John is about the journey of individuals as each comes to believe in Jesus. Just before going up to Jerusalem for the last time, Jesus told the disciples that he himself was going on a journey — meaning to his glorification through death and Resurrection. Jesus promised that they would follow him and be with him again. Thomas, always doubting, objected that none of them knew where Jesus was going nor did they know the way. Jesus answered with the central thematic promise of John’s Gospel: 

‘I am the Way … Believe in me and you will recognize God in me and me in God. As your belief deepens, you will know the Way. As your love deepens, for me and for one another, the Spirit will come to you and we will abide in you. This is how all will know that you’re my disciples, that you truly love one another.’ (John 14: 1-30)

John’s Gospel traces first one then another disciple’s journey toward believing that Jesus himself is the Way that leads to union with God. Following Jesus’ resurrection, John’s Gospel describes an encounter and three apparitions, in each of which Jesus’ presence to a disciple evokes the hallmarks of belief: joyful recognition, an open heart and tender love.

Mary Magdalen encounters a stranger in the garden near the empty tomb.  When he greets her, simply by saying her name, “Mary” she recognizes Jesus with joy; she believes.

Then Jesus enters the upper room though it was locked and simply says, “Peace” at which the disciples greet him with relief and joy. On the basis of their acceptance and belief, Jesus includes them in his own work of compassion: “I send you as God sent me. Receive the Spirit, whose sins you forgive are forgiven.”

Soon Jesus appears to Thomas so that he who needs to see may believe.  

And finally, we have the apparition described in this morning’s reading: Seven disciples follow Peter in a night of fishing, without success until a stranger on the shore directs them. They bring in a large haul and as they join the stranger for breakfast, first one then another and another recognizes that the stranger is the Lord. Jesus repeatedly prods Peter: Do you love me? Do you love me? Do you love me? Why did Jesus do that? The narrative of these apparitions concludes, “Jesus performed many signs — signs to help each believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Only Begotten, so that believing, they may abide in Jesus.’”

The Gospel of John shows us that belonging to and leading this believing community means personal conversions and connections; deep, abiding relationships; and a mingling of hearts by which we recognize the presence of Jesus the Way. Turning again to the coming conclave, let us pray that the Spirit of John’s Gospel will prevail, the Spirit of God’s abiding Love.  

And perhaps we might also pray to have another leader like Francis. For when Francis was elected, didn’t we know — that first moment we heard him on the balcony, when he said “Pray for me,” — didn’t we know he was a pilgrim, a man on a journey like the rest of us. Neither elevated, nor separated, but a believer following the Way with us. Francis’ gift of personal presence, flowing over with the love of Christ, touched many and helped to reorient our ideas of leadership.

Let us pray that the Spirit of Love will prevail once more.