Family Bible Study - Third Sunday of Easter

Gospel Passage
John 21:1 After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. 2 Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am
going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He
said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and
jumped into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off. 9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish hat you have just caught.” 11
So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came
and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. 15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus
said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my
sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know
that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you
used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out
your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” 19
(He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow
me.”

Questions for Discussion -
1. Jesus asked St. Peter three times if he loved him. Why do you think he asked him
three times? (Hint: think of Peter’s actions after the Last Supper. Is there
something that happens next three times?)

2. Jesus gave work to his people — “feed my sheep, feed my lambs” — dependent
on loving Him. Do you love Jesus enough to help him “feed” his “sheep and
lambs”? Who are they and how can we feed them?

3. Jesus had helped St. Peter catch a miraculous load of fish once before, when he
called him to be a “fisher of men,” to catch people. Why do you think he did the
same miracle here? Did He want to remind them of something?
Used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry