Acts 5:27–32, 40–41; Psalm 30; Revelation 5:11–14; John 21:1–19
Grace, mercy, and peace to you, my dear family of God’s people. Today is the Third Sunday of Easter, Year C.
The Gospel reading presents another dramatic account of the Risen Jesus appearing to His disciples. This encounter takes place by the Sea of Galilee—the very place where He had first called them to follow Him. The scene is rich and layered with meaning.
Although many themes can be drawn from this passage, I would like us to focus on just three, as the Gospel is already quite long. These three themes are: Recognition, Restoration, and Relationship.
I. Recognition – “It is the Lord.”
Jesus appears to the disciples as a stranger. He speaks to them, instructs them, and leads them to a miraculous catch of fish—just as He did when He first called them. Yet, they do not recognise Him immediately.
It is John who first realises who the stranger is. He turns to Peter and says, “O Kyrios estin”—“It is the Lord.” John understood that such a wonderful, unexpected moment of abundance could only come from Jesus.
Let us pause and reflect.
Dear friends, like John, do we recognise that the good and beautiful things in our lives come from the Lord? Our blessings, our successes, our gifts, talents, and abilities… the things we do well, the virtues others admire in us, the events that bring us joy and fulfillment, the small and great miracles that dot our journey—do we see His hand in them?
Do we stop to acknowledge and give praise to the Lord?
In today’s Second Reading, John shares a heavenly vision where all creatures and heavenly beings give glory, honor, and praise to the Lamb who was slain. This is the recognition.
Let us pray for the grace to recognise God’s signature in the events of our lives, in a stranger, in His Word, and especially in the Eucharist.
II. Restoration – “Feed my sheep.”
Peter, who denied Jesus three times, returns to Him. But notice something beautiful: Jesus doesn’t merely forgive Peter; He restores him.
He gives Peter a profound pastoral role. Not once, not twice, but three times, Jesus says: “Feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep.”
Let’s take a moment to really feel the weight of this.
Jesus is saying to Peter:
Peter, I forgive you. I see beyond your failure. You are more than your mistakes. You are still valuable to me. I still want you. I can still trust you. I am entrusting my flock to you.
Jesus doesn’t shame or reject Peter. Instead, He gives him a chance to reaffirm his love—once for each denial. Then He entrusts him with responsibility as a sign of complete restoration.
How tender. This is grace in motion. This is mercy in action. This is redemption at its best.
Dear friends, this is the message today: Your failure does not define you. You may have let God down in a big way, but He wants to forgive you, restore you, and reassign you. You are still wanted. You are still useful.
Sometimes, God allows failure to teach us. He may use those moments to humble us, to help us shed self-reliance, and to grow in compassion for others. These moments of weakness can become preparation for leadership and deeper service. God doesn’t condemn us when we fall—He seeks to restore us.
So to all the “Peters” reading this: It’s time to forgive yourself. God is calling you back. His grace is greater than your worst mistake. His Blood is stronger than your guilt. Accept His invitation today. Come to Confession—let Him seal the restoration.
III. Relationship – “Do you love me?”
Of all the questions Jesus could have asked Peter, He chose this one:
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these others do?”
Notice, He calls Peter by his old name, “Simon,” perhaps to remind him of who he was before the transformation. Jesus doesn’t ask Peter to explain doctrine to prove his orthodoxy. He doesn’t demand a ministry plan. He doesn’t even ask him to promise never to deny Him again.
He simply asks: “Do you love me?”
Why love?
Because love is what matters most to God. As St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:1–3, even the greatest works are empty without love. Love is the foundation of every vocation, every sacrifice, every act of obedience and worship. It is love that gives meaning to surrender.
When we truly love Jesus, obedience becomes joy, and service becomes desire—not burden.
What God is searching for in each of our hearts is deep, sincere love.
It was this love that empowered the Apostles to rejoice even in their suffering for Jesus, as seen in the First Reading. Their love made them fearless.
Today, Jesus asks each of us the same question that He asked Peter—not about our knowledge or achievements, but about our heart:
“Do you really love me?
Do you love me more than anyone else?
Do you love me enough to reject what I reject?
Do you love me more than your family, your business, your occupation, your ambitions, your own life?
Do you love me enough to follow wherever I lead?
Do you love me—for better or worse?”
Do I truly love Jesus?
This is the question He asks of each of us today. Let us respond with honesty, with humility, and with hope. Let us also pray today for a genuine and deeper love of God.
Sermon preached by Fr Emmanuel Baraka-Gukena Okami on May 4, 2025