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First Reading
Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41

1. The “Sanhedrin” said to Peter and the apostles, “We gave you strict orders, did we not, to stop teaching in that name”? Why the objections from the ancient council? How are you with interpretations of God’s word that are different from your own?

2. The apostles rejoiced that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor. When you encounter suffering in your life is there anything that helps you accept it? Do you know anyone suffering right now but is also exuding a kind of spiritual joy?


Second Reading

Revelation 5:11-14

1. Why does John say that he heard every creature in the universe cry out the words: “to the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever?” Do we need to fix the climate crisis we are experiencing now, so that the environment, beasts, birds and people will always be able to cry out and glorify God?

2. The Israelites slaughtered and ate a lamb at the time of the Passover, and were protected from harm by the lamb’s blood on their doorposts. The mystery of divine love is that Christ’s blood spread out on the cross because of love for us. How are cross and resurrection made one in the image of the Paschal Lamb? Is this image a model for the Church?


Gospel
John 21:1-19 or 21:1-14

1. Jesus was on the shore. John and the other disciples were in the fishing boat. Why do you think John recognized Jesus before the others? Discuss. There are four stories in this gospel: the appearance of Jesus to the disciples, the large catch of fish, the meal, and Peter’s commission. Which do you like to think about? Why?

2. When the disciples got to shore, Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” Would you say that to strangers or to your friends? Pope Francis suggests we cultivate the same everyday familiarity with Jesus that the disciples had.

Familiarity with the Lord in everyday life, familiarity with the Lord in the sacraments, in the midst of the people of God. They went on a journey of maturation in their familiarity with the Lord. Let us learn how to do this as well. From the very first moment, they understood that familiarity was different to what they had imagined, and they arrived at this. They knew that there was the Lord, and they shared everything: the community, sacraments, the Lord, peace, feasting. 

May the Lord teach us this intimacy with him, this familiarity with him but in the Church, with the sacraments, with the faithful holy people of God.

Familiarity with the Lord
Pope Francis,
April 17, 2020

 

Anne Osdieck



Art by Martin Erspamer, OSB
from Religious Clip Art for the Liturgical Year (A, B, and C). This art may be reproduced only by parishes who purchase the collection in book or CD-ROM form. For more information go http://www.ltp.org