Readings: 3rd Sunday of Easter
First Reading
First Reading Introduction: Peter, Witness to the Risen Lord
In his preaching, Peter bears strong witness that Christ is risen from the dead. He asks his hearers to turn to Christ and to let him make them new.
First Reading: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19
Peter said to the people, "The God of Abraham, of Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus whom you handed over to death and denied before Pilate, when even Pilate had decided to release him." You rejected the Holy and Just One, and you insisted that a murderer be released to you. You killed the Master of life, but God raised him from the dead and we are witnesses to this.
"Yet I know that you acted out of ignorance, as did your leaders. God has fulfilled in this way what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer.
"Repent, then, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out."
Responsorial Psalm
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 4:2, 4, 7-8, 9
R./ Lord, let your face shine on us.
or: Alleluia.When I call, answer me, O my just God,
you who relieve me when I am in distress;
have pity on me, and hear my prayer!
R./ Lord, let your face shine on us.
or: Alleluia.Know that the LORD does wonders for his faithful one;
the LORD will hear me when I call upon him.
R./ Lord, let your face shine on us.
or: Alleluia.O LORD, let the light of your countenance shine upon us!
You put gladness into my heart.
R./ Lord, let your face shine on us.
or: Alleluia.
As soon as I lie down, I fall peacefully asleep,
for you alone, O LORD,
bring security to my dwelling.
R./ Lord, let your face shine on us.
or: Alleluia.
Second Reading
Second Reading Introduction: True to the Risen Lord
When we follow the commandments of love of Christ, we are true to the risen Christ and we grow in God's love.
Second Reading: 1 John 2:1-5a
My little children, I write to you that you may not sin. But if anyone sins, we have an intercessor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Just One. He is the sacrificial victim for our sins and the sins of the whole world.
How can we know that we know him? If we fulfill his commands. If you say, "I know him," but do not fulfill his commands, you are a liar and the truth is not in you. But if you keep his word, God's love is made complete in you. This is how we know that we are in him.
Holy Gospel
Gospel Introduction: Witnesses to The Risen Lord
Jesus appeared to his doubting disciples to strengthen their faith that he was risen. Then he sent them out as he sends us - to bear witness to his forgiveness and new life.
Gospel Reading: Luke 24:35-48
Then the two told what had happened on the road and how Jesus made himself known when he broke bread with them.
As they went on talking about this, Jesus himself stood in their midst. (And he said to them, "Peace to you.") In their panic and fright they thought they were seeing a ghost, but he said to them, "Why are you upset and why do such ideas cross your mind? Look at my hands and feet and see that it is I myself. Touch me and see for yourselves that a ghost has no flesh and bones as I have." (As he said this, he showed his hands and feet.)
In their joy they didn't dare believe and were still astonished. So he said to them, "Have you anything to eat?" and they gave him a piece of broiled fish. He took it and ate it before them.
Then Jesus said to them, "Remember the words I spoke to you when I was still with you: Everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms had to be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
And he went on, "You see what was written: the Messiah had to suffer and on the third day rise from the dead. Then repentance and forgiveness in his name would be proclaimed to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Now you shall be witnesses to this.