Exploring the Sunday Gospel – Third Sunday of Easter

Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed. Alleluia!

Today is the Third Sunday of Easter. During the Easter season the Gospel readings celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and the resurrection appearances of Jesus. On Easter Sunday the Gospel reading from Mark pointed to the empty tomb and to the message that ‘He has been raised; he is not here’. Last Sunday the Gospel reading was John’s account of the risen Jesus making himself known to Thomas. Thomas was convinced when he stretched out his hand and touched Jesus. Today’s Gospel reading is Luke’s account of that first Easter Day. In Luke’s Gospel the risen Jesus had first made himself known to two disciples going to Emmaus. Those disciples went straight back to Jerusalem to tell the others. While they were talking about this in Jerusalem, Jesus stood among them. The key to this second narrative about the risen Jesus meeting with his disciples concerns the way in which they eventually recognise and accept his risen presence with them. Jesus was recognised as more than a ghost through one of the very ordinary events of life, eating fish. Here after the resurrection is clear continuity with the way things were before the crucifixion.

For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited you to reflect on the image of eating fish. In today’s picture, taken from the illustrated communion book, The Lord is Here!, people are remembering Jesus’ presence with them as they settle down around the table to share a meal.

Risen Lord,
you made yourself known to the disciples
in the upper room.
Come among us now
and make yourself known to us,
as we share in your feast;
for you are our God,
now and for ever.
Amen.

Next Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, the Gospel reading from John’s Gospel turns attention to one of the ‘I am’ sayings of Jesus, ‘I am the good shepherd’. The image to help us prepare for next Sunday’s theme is shepherd. You can find out more about that theme by looking at the Educational Resources and the Preparation Resources.

Preparation Resources

Education Resources