Friends, on this third Sunday of Easter, we proclaim that the risen Christ is the Lord. Today, through the celebration of the Eucharist, we affirm that He is the sacrificed Lamb. He is worthy to be given all power, honor, and glory. Both the first and the second readings of today bear great testimonies to the awesomeness of Christ. In other words, the readings today offer us important lessons about obedience to God, worship, and love. They remind us of the joy and responsibility that come with following Jesus. Lord Jesus, help us to obey You always, to worship You with all our hearts, and to show our love through caring for others. Strengthen our faith and guide us in Your ways.
Friends, the first reading of today, led by Peter, the apostles continued to bear testimony to the risen Christ. Not even the Jews who they were previously afraid of could stop them. Fear now belongs to the past. Peter boldly said to the High Priest; “We are witnesses to all this, we and the Holy Spirit.” Despite all the humiliations and threats to their lives, Peter insisted; “Obedience to God comes first before obedience to men.” They are now confident that they will overcome death as Christ did. Their resoluteness reminds us that obedience to God manifests itself in faithfulness to our vocations and our witness for Christ.
Friends, the apostles stood firm in their faith when questioned by the high priest. They insisted on obeying God rather than men. This teaches us the importance of staying true to God’s commands, even when it is difficult. Brothers and sisters, obedience to God requires courage and trust. The apostles knew that following God might bring them suffering, but they chose to obey Him anyway. This kind of faith inspires us to make similar choices in our own lives. We face many situations where we must choose between obeying God or following the world. The apostles’ example encourages us to stand firm in our faith.
Friends, in the second reading from the Book of Revelation, John sees countless angels and every creature worshiping the Lamb. This vision shows us that Jesus is worthy of all honor and praise. It reminds us that worship is central to our faith. Worship brings us closer to God. When we join in the worship of Jesus, we acknowledge His greatness and our need for Him. It helps us focus on what truly matters and strengthens our relationship with Him. The scene in Revelation invites us to be part of this great chorus of praise. Every time we worship, we join with all of creation in giving glory to Jesus. This shared worship unites us with believers everywhere and brings us joy.
Friends, in the Gospel, Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him. Each time, Peter affirms his love, and Jesus tells him to care for His followers. This conversation highlights the importance of love and responsibility in our faith. Loving Jesus means more than words. It means taking action. Jesus asked Peter to show his love by caring for others. This teaches us that true love for Jesus is shown in how we treat those around us. Brothers and sisters, our actions reflect our love for Jesus. When we help and support others, we are living out His command to love. By caring for others, we show that our love for Jesus is genuine and strong. The Lord be with you …. May the Almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Have a blessed Sunday and a fruitful new week to you.
By Fr. Ben Chola Mccj
