The Third Sunday of Easter, C
Acts 5: 27-32, 40b-41
Psalm 30
Revelation 5: 11-14 (MNF, “Worthy is Christ,” H. Willan)
(TITF, “Festival Canticle: Worthy is Christ,” R. Hillert)
John 21: 1-19

The First Reading (from Acts) tells of the arrest of the apostles for preaching in the Name of Jesus, and of their defense before the Sanhedrin. “We must obey God rather than men!” Peter says, and then goes on to point out, “We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit—whom God has given to those who believe in Him.” Despite the fact that the author of today’s Responsorial Psalm would have had no concept of eternal life as the New Testament understood it, the church was quick to take today’s text, “I will praise you, Lord, for You have rescued me,” and put it onto the lips of Jesus, celebrating His rising. Today’s Second Reading continues our in-course reading of the Book of Revelation. John’s vision today describes the liturgy of heaven, where the four living creatures and the elders fall down in worship of “the Lamb who was slain,”—an Old Testament image now Christianized (see the Second Reading of Easter Day) in the New Testament. In the Gospel, we have another of the appearances of Jesus to the disciples, this time while they are fishing. After their great catch of fish, Jesus has the dialogue with Peter that confirms him as head of his fellows: “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” “Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You.” Jesus said, “Feed My sheep.” After this confirmation, Jesus gives a prophecy of the death Peter was to die for love of Him, and then adds, “Follow Me.” About this, St. Leo the Great says, “Although it was primarily to Peter that Jesus said, “Feed My sheep,” yet the one Lord guides all pastors in the discharge of their office and leads to rich and fertile pastures all those who come to the Rock. There is no counting the sheep who are nourished by His abundant love, and who are prepared to lay down their lives for the sake of the Good Shepherd, who died for them.” (Sermo 12 de passione)

Worthy is the Lamb who suffered!
Worthy is the Lamb once slain
His are power, riches, wisdom!
We shall raise the joyful strain:
To the Lamb and to the Father
Glory, might and blessing be
From the ransomed of the Savior,
From the souls that He set free!

Through the grace that filled th’apostles,
Fearless was their fervent stand.
Peter, joined with all his brethren,
Chose to follow God, not man!
Preaching Christ, the One who suffered,
Now enthroned at God’s right hand,
He told all of sin’s forgiveness,
Reconciled in God’s own plan.

Peter knew the pow’r of mercy:
He, three times, denied the Lord;
Then, to three-fold questions, answered
With a fervent heart outpoured:
“Lord, You know all things! I love you!”
Seeing in him love so deep,
Jesus charged him with this message:
“Feed My lambs and tend My sheep!”

Find us worthy, living Savior,
Of your love, that priceless gift;
Send us forth from this assembly;
Make our feet secure and swift!
Keep us faithful in all trials,
That the Church may ever be
Witness to your glorious rising
Living in Your grace so free!

87.87.D
Suggested tune: Hyfrdol


The psalms for this week’s Liturgy of the Hours are taken from Week III, using the Easter antiphons. Everything from the reading on is taken from the Proper of the Season.

Propers from the Roman Gradual

The Introit gives the message of rejoicing to “all the lands,” and in reference to the Resurrection, sings “Say of God, how awesome are your deeds!” The Offertory, reflecting the good news given to us in the Second Lesson about our Advocate with the Father, sings praise to the Lord. The Communion is the generic rejoicing psalm (96), but we suggest the alternate text, which is taken from today’s Gospel.

Introit: Jubilate Deo (Ps. 66:1-2)
O be joyful in God all you lands, alleluia;
sing praises to the honor of his Name, alleluia;
sing the glory of his praise, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
Because of your great strength, your enemies cringe before you.”

Offertory: Lauda anima mea (Ps. 146:1)
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises while I have being, alleluia.

Communion: Cantate Domino (Ps. 96:2)
Sing to the Lord, alleluia; sing to the Lord, bless his Name;
proclaim his salvation day after day, alleluia, alleluia.

alternate for the Communion: Stetit Jesus (Lk 24:36)
(matches the Gospel in Year B)
Jesus stood in the midst of his disciples
and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Alleluia.

Propers from the Simple Gradual

TheThird Sunday of Easter can use any of the Easter suite I, BFW 158–166,
or Easter suite II, BFW 167–174.

Entrance: BFW 221 (Let all the earth cry out to you . . . )
adding the concluding alleluia from BFW p. 378, IV
Response: BFW 539
(used as an alleluia psalm by adding any alleluia in Mode VIIIG,
such as BFW 162 or BFW 447)
or alleluia psalm BFW 160 or BFW 161, or BFW169 or BFW 170
Gospel acclamation BFW 162
Offertory: BFW 290 (verses only, without the triple alleluia)
Communion: BFW 173 (O sing to the Lord . . . )