Third Sunday of Easter
Dear Parishioners:
On this Third Sunday of Easter, we reflect on how Jesus reveals himself in our lives; often in unexpected ways. The disciples didn’t always recognize him right away when they saw him after the resurrection, behind locked doors, on the road to Emmaus, and today on the shore. But today we read as they drew closer, they realized "It is the Lord!" as John said to Peter in the Gospel.
How often have we done the same, only noticing it was Jesus afterwards? We need to continue to draw closer to him so we can recognize him when he speaks to us and so we can see him in others we encounter. He does meet us each Sunday in the Eucharist. Do we come with excitement, anticipation and an open heart? Once Peter realized it was Jesus he didn’t wait for the boat to get to the shore. He jumped off the boat and into the water in excitement. He couldn’t get to the shore fast enough. Is this how we feel when we come to Mass on Sunday?
Peter wasn’t perfect by any means and just as Jesus allows Peter to reconcile with him by reaffirming Peter's love for him three times, once for each time he denied him, Jesus also wants us to reconcile with him for those times we have chosen to deny him with our word or actions or for ignoring his will and doing our own instead. No matter what we have done he loves us and wants us to come to him with everything so he can continue to forgive us.
May we continue to love and forgive each other in the same way Christ does for us.
Your brother in Christ
Deacon Manny
