but more,
God is within me, giving me existence.
Let me dwell for a moment on God's life-giving presence
in my body, my mind, my heart and in the whole of my life.
Amen.
| God is with me, |
Opening Hymn (Choose an appropriate Easter hymn)
Introduction
Reflecting on the scriptures of
the Easter season, St. Ignatius encourages us to consider
how Jesus acts towards his followers, consoling them just
as one friend consoles another.
The disciples had just been through the worst experience of
their lives. Their leader and their friend, in whom they
had put all their hope, had been unjustly convicted and
cruelly put to death. Their hopes and dreams were
shattered. They were confused and afraid. The Risen Jesus
comes among them and says, "Peace be with you." Their faith
was not in vain. Their friend is alive. His consoling
presence brings new hope to each one of them.
With us, just as with them, the Risen Christ disregards our
failings, our weakness, our lack of faith. He does not
accuse, he does not criticize. He gently offers
consolation, encouragement and love.
Reading of Scripture
John
21:1-14
After this Jesus revealed
himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tibe'rias; and
he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called
the Twin, Nathan'ael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of
Zeb'edee, and two others of his disciples were together.
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.
Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the beach;
yet
the disciples did not know that it was
Jesus.
Jesus said to them,
"Children,
have you any fish?"
They answered him, "No." He said to them,
"Cast
the net on 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, for
the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said
to Peter,
"It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it
was the Lord, he put on his clothes, for he was stripped
for work, and sprang into
the sea. But
the other disciples came in the boat,
dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from
the land, but about a hundred yards off. When they got out
on land, they saw
a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it,
and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring
some of the fish that you have just caught."
So
Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net
ashore, full
of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and
although there were so many,
the net was not torn. Jesus said to them,
"Come
and have breakfast."
Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?"
They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and
took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This
was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the
disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Pause for Quiet Reflection / Sharing
Response
Psalm
118:1-4, 22-27
O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
R/ his steadfast love endures for ever!
Let Israel say,
R/ "His steadfast love endures for ever."
Let the house of Aaron say,
R/ "His steadfast love endures for ever."
Let those who fear the LORD say,
R/ "His steadfast love endures for ever."
The stone which the builders rejected
R/ has become the head of the corner.
This is the LORD's doing;
R/ it is marvellous in our eyes.
This is the day which the LORD has made;
R/ let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Save us, we beseech thee, O LORD!
R/ O LORD, we beseech thee, give us
success!
Blessed be he who enters in the name of the LORD!
R/ We bless you from the house of the
LORD.
ALL/ The LORD is God, and he has given us
light.
Intentions
Let us pray
for all those who minister in proclaiming the Gospel.
R/
The harvest is plentiful, O Lord: send us
labourers!
You told your disciples to cast their nets once more into a
lifeless sea,
hearten all servants of the Gospel who have grown
weary,
R/
You cooked a meal for your disciples besides the sea of
Galilee,
nourish and sustain all servants of the Gospel ...
R/
You yourself are the word you sent your disciples to
preach,
enrich in prayer all disciples that they may feed your
people
with the word of life,
R/
OUR
FATHER ...
Closing
Prayer
O Lord, through our Easter celebrations,
renew our zeal to speak and live the Gospel,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Closing
Hymn
'The
Galilee Song' (Frank Anderson)
Brother Nick Morris