Family Bible Study - Third Sunday of Easter

Luke 24:13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from
Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were
talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept
from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each
other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cle'opas, answered him,
"Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
19 And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a
prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers
delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to
redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. 22 Moreover, some
women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning 23 and did not find his body;
and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of
those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see."
25 And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26
Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" 27 And beginning
with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28
So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, 29 but they
constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to
stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it
to them. 31 And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32
They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened
to us the scriptures?" 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven
gathered together and those who were with them, 34 who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has
appeared to Simon!" 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in
the breaking of the bread.

Questions for discussion -
1. Jesus first explained the Scriptures to the two men. Does the priest ever
explain things to us at Church? What is the name for this part of the Mass?

2. The men said that their hearts were “burning” when they heard Jesus speak.
Do we listen carefully so that Jesus can set our hearts on fire with love for
him?

3. The disciples saw Jesus in the “breaking of the bread.” Does this remind
you of any part of Mass? Do you see Jesus at that part of the Mass?
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry

Sunday Gospel Message - Third Sunday of Easter

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
Christ has called us to be his followers and disciples.
He has called us not because He needs us, but because we need
Him. He has prepared for us a heavenly banquet—a feast of joy
and happiness that will last forever. The present Eucharistic
meal is the means He instituted to help us reach the new
Jerusalem which is above. Let us use this means frequently and
fervently; in it we shall, like the two disciples, recognize Him
as our loving, risen Savior and each time we receive Him we
will return full of the glad tidings that Jesus has risen and
conquered death, not only for Himself but for all men of
goodwill.
used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

Sunday Gospel Message - Third Sunday of Easter

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
The disciples had been fishing all night and had
caught nothing. How frustrating that must have been! Jesus
appears to them and tells them to cast the net on the other
side of the boat and they would catch fish. Not too logical,
is it? However, following the word of Jesus, they caught
153 large fish. Obedience to the word of the Lord in our
lives produces the same results. If we are out there doing
our own thing, we will catch nothing. If we listen and
follow the Lord’s direction, great things happen!
Used with permission - Msgr. Bob Lawrence

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