SUNDAY REFLECTIONS | Third Sunday of Easter

By Social Communications

Published on May 4, 2025

John 21:1–19 — “Do you love me?”

On this Third Sunday of Easter, we hear a deeply touching and personal story of how the Risen Jesus appears once more to His disciples. This time, it happens by the Sea of Galilee—where it all began. It’s not just a story about a miracle or a meal. It is about healing, mission, and love. It shows us that Jesus doesn’t only rise from the dead—He also rises to restore, forgive, and send us out.

The disciples have returned to fishing, perhaps unsure of what to do next. They spend the night at sea and catch nothing. In the early morning light, Jesus stands on the shore, but they do not recognize Him right away. He tells them to cast their nets on the other side—and suddenly, the net is full. This moment is a gentle reminder of their very first calling, when Jesus told them He would make them “fishers of men.” It is also a sign that when we follow His voice, even when it seems strange or uncertain, we will find what we truly need.

Then comes one of the most beautiful moments in all of Scripture: “Come, have breakfast.” The Risen Lord prepares a meal for His friends. He feeds them, not just physically, but spiritually. He knows they are tired, confused, and perhaps still carrying guilt—especially Peter. Jesus comes to them with peace, not blame. This is how Jesus treats all of us. After our long nights of failure, He invites us to sit with Him, to be renewed.

Then, in a quiet moment after breakfast, Jesus speaks to Peter. We remember that Peter had denied Jesus three times during the Passion. Now, Jesus gives Peter the chance to affirm his love three times: “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Each time Peter answers, Jesus gives him a mission: “Feed my lambs… Tend my sheep… Feed my sheep.”

This is more than forgiveness. It is a complete restoration. Jesus does not say, “I forgive you” in so many words—but He shows it by entrusting Peter with responsibility. He gives him back his place in the mission. This is how Jesus heals. He does not just erase the past; He transforms it and builds something greater. Peter, once a man of fear and failure, becomes the shepherd of the flock. This is why the Church sees in this passage the beginning of Peter’s role as the first pope, the visible shepherd of the Church on earth.

Jesus then says something that applies to us all: “Follow me.” It is a simple call, yet one that demands everything. It means walking with Jesus not only in joy and glory, but also in service, in sacrifice, and sometimes even in suffering. But it is also a path of deep peace, because it is the path of love.

This Gospel invites us to reflect on several things: How do we respond when we fail or feel lost? Like the disciples, do we return to what’s familiar—or do we wait for the voice of Jesus? Do we recognize Him when He comes to us in unexpected ways—in the Eucharist, in the Word, in the love of others? And most of all, when Jesus asks us, “Do you love me?”, how do we answer?

If we say yes, Jesus sends us out. He calls us not to be perfect, but to love Him and serve others—to feed His sheep in our homes, in our workplaces, and in our parishes. He calls each of us, in our own way, to be part of His mission of love in the world.

Let us take courage from Peter’s story. No failure is final with Jesus. His mercy is greater than our sins, and His love always gives us a new beginning. The Risen Lord is calling us—lovingly, patiently—just as He called Peter. He waits for us on the shore of our lives, ready to restore us and send us out again.