Third Sunday of Easter

Dear Parishioners,

    This is one of the Sundays when we celebrate First Holy Communion.  The Gospel we have today seems very appropriate for this occasion.  Jesus talks about feeding his sheep.  One of the main ways we feed one another is through our Eucharistic celebrations. 

    It is very apparent that Eucharist is a recurring theme in the resurrection accounts in the Gospels.  We have an example in that in the Gospel of John today, the apostles are out fishing in Galilee.  Jesus has told them to go there until he comes back to them.

Peter and the rest of the apostles see Jesus on the shore, but they do not seem to be sure about who he is.  But then there is that key line in the Gospel.

 “And none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they realized it was the Lord.”

 And then Jesus broke the bread for them. This seemed to be the clue the apostles needed.  They then knew Jesus was present.

Today our children will know the Lord in a new more intimate way.  They are all excited about this.  Perhaps they are as excited as the Apostles on the sea shore that Easter day.  It would be nice if we could share in that excitement. 

Eucharist means “thanksgiving.”  We give thanks for this sacrament which helps us to know the Lord.

Blessings,

Fr. Mark