Easter 3 Yr C
Come have breakfast

Introduction

Our household has a new kitten Owl, full of vinegar, and a delightful addition to the chaos. Our household also has two older dogs. One Eowyn is nonplussed by Owl—they touch noses and run slowly together but generally are tolerant of each other. Our other dog Abby is having to share her space with Owl, who taunts her and, when I'm not looking, swats Abby's tail or nose. The Owl-Abby relationship is still developing. Last evening, to entertain Owl, I tossed a ball down our hallway and she ran gleefully after it. Unfortunately I had not noticed that Abby was just coming into the hallway. The two met (hilariously) at the doorway: Abby risen on her hind legs, Owl hissing and arching and on her hind legs. The commotion was probably two seconds long but vigorous. We separated both animals, our children, to their "corners". Though it was a brief chaotic moment, both of our children returned quickly to their routines and relaxed. And returned to their "normal" relationship, back to "ordinary".

Sometimes I think Jesus knew that there is comfort in doing "ordinary" things, even when what's happening around us is not ordinary. Of course, Jesus knew his disciples were still reeling from the knowledge that he had arisen. So he says to them, "Catch some fish and let's eat." How clever. Do something mundane—that we had done many times before, that doesn't require too much thought. By this, Jesus also showed that he loved them without strings; they were his children. 

And, of course, his children (disciples) responded as Jesus likely expected. Foremost, they recognized that it was Jesus. Some took his advice and caught enough fish for a month of breakfasts and brought it to shore. Exuberant Peter leaped from the boat and rushed to shore to be with Jesus. And when all were gathered around the fire, they cooked, ate, and talked with Jesus. Oh, how familiar and ordinary that must have felt for these close few.

While talking Jesus asked of Peter: "Do you love me?" to which excitable Peter responded, "You know I love you, Lord." Jesus commanded: "Feed my sheep." Jesus repeats the question and command twice more. Could it be that Jesus is helping Peter convince himself that love of Jesus requires caring for others? helping others who have needs? feeding others? accepting that they are children?

Next time you're gathered, consider whether those around you are your "children"? Should they be? Could they be? It's one of your many opportunities to love—without strings. Comments welcome.

John 21:1-19

Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; . . . [where the disciples were fishing] Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” . . . When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” . . . “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. . . . After this he said to him [Peter], “Follow me.”

From sermon4kids.com: “Why did Jesus ask Peter the same question three times? . . .  he wanted you and me to understand—that it isn’t enough just to say, “I love you.” We must show our love for Jesus by showing our love for one another and caring for one another. Do you love Jesus? Then feed and take care of his sheep! Now, that is love that can be understood in any language.”

Scripture: May 1, 2022—Third Sunday of Easter—Acts 9:1-6, (7-20) (image); Psalm 30 (image); Revelation 5:11-14 (image); John 21:1-19 (image). 

Collect: O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. 

Reflection: Jesus chose Peter, who had denied him in his hour of need, to tend his sheep and build his church. He chose Paul, who had persecuted Jesus’  followers, to proclaim the good news of the gospel. Can anything separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ? What has Jesus chosen and called you to do?

For families: Study guide & activities (former guide), group activity, snacks, kid video

For children: see family guide/activities (former activity), craft; bulletin games;

For middlers:  see family guide/activities (former activity); craft; bulletin games

Coloring pages: John ; Feed my sheep

For youth: Oh that Jesus was pretty clever—he knew that getting people to sit down to a meal with you helped make a bond that would not be broken. So that's what he did. You can too. Next time you're eating, look around at who is eating with you—those people have a pretty close relationship with you. And you can go further to say, if you want a relationship with someone, get them to have something to eat with you. Try it. You might find just the person who will be your "forever friend." Comments welcome.

The theme of this Sunday’s liturgy is Jesus’ revelation of his risen life in the Holy Eucharist: the breaking of bread and sharing of the cup. This year we hear John’s account of the meeting that took place between the disciples and the Lord on the shore of the sea of Tiberias. It culminated, as did so many of the resurrection appearances, in the Lord sharing food with his disciples and in that way making himself known to them.

The reading from Acts is the account of Paul’s conversion from his stance an enemy of Christ and a persecutor of the church to its greatest missionary and preacher.

The second reading from the Revelation of John envisions the final conversion of the entire human race and of the whole creation. It seems likely that the image of the heavenly worship in this book was inspired by the author’s own experience of the church’s Eucharistic worship.

From the very beginning of the Church’s life, the Holy Eucharist has been a major means of conversion to faith in Christ. The conversion which the Spirit has begun in us in Baptism is nurtured and deepened in Holy Communion. The risen Lord, made known to us in the breaking of the bread, continues his work of redemption in the lives of people in every time and place.