May 4, 2025
Revised Common Lectionary
Acts 9:1-6 (7-20)
Psalm 30
Revelation 5:11-14
John 21:1-19
Lectionary for Mass (RC)
Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41
Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13 (2a)
Revelation 5:11-14
John 21:1-14 (15-19)
Have you ever wondered where you might encounter the risen Christ today—in a quiet moment at home, in the beauty of a spring morning, in the grandeur of a cathedral?
In today’s reading from the Gospel of John, the disciples discover the risen One in the most unexpected place—back at their day jobs. The story we hear today reminds us that resurrection faith is frequently experienced and lived out in ordinary events that take place in ordinary places among ordinary people.
The disciples have returned to their ordinary lives—you know, before their time with Jesus. No more were they huddled behind locked doors in Jerusalem, trying to process the news of the empty tomb. No, they were back home in Galilee, and they decide to go fishing for the night. Back to familiar surroundings and familiar activities.
After a long night of catching nothing, the disciples have an encounter with the risen Christ. This third appearance to the disciples in John’s Gospel takes place in the midst of their ordinary lives, away from Jerusalem, the Temple, and the crowds. In contrast to the intense joy they experienced when Jesus had earlier made himself known in the Upper Room, now most of them barely notice as he calls to them from the beach. Only one among them recognizes Jesus—the beloved disciple, whose heart was attuned to Christ through their special relationship. This same disciple who had experienced profound intimacy with Jesus, even resting on his breast at the Last Supper, now sees what others miss.
This moment reveals something profound about resurrection faith. Like recognizing a friend’s voice in a crowded room, it is grounded in a deep relationship that opens our eyes to his presence in unexpected places, including everyday activities and routine. For Christians today, that kind of intimacy is fostered through prayer and reflection on the Gospels.
As he had done throughout his ministry, Jesus meets the disciples in their place of need: “Children, you have no fish, have you?” (Jn 21:5) It is surely no accident that this encounter takes place at the Sea of Tiberias, the same place where Jesus had satisfied the hunger of the crowd by feeding them with five loaves and two fish. Not only does he guide the disciples to an overwhelming catch of fish, but he also feeds them breakfast on the beach, just as he fed the crowds during his lifetime.
What began as an overnight fishing expedition became the occasion for sharing food with the risen Christ. He had not abandoned them but continued to feed them even now. The bread and fish that the risen One shared with the disciples on the shore are signs that invite the eyes of our hearts to see the many ways that he continues to be with us and to provide us with strength and encouragement. Even now, Christ meets us in our moments of emptiness—when our nets come up empty, when our efforts seem fruitless—and provides what we truly need.
If the eyes of our hearts are open, we too will recognize the risen One among us in the events of our everyday life—in our homes, our workplaces, and our schools; on the bus, behind the counter, in the hospital waiting room. When we come together as a community of faith, the risen One also continues to feed us as we gather around the table to break the bread and share the cup. Each celebration of the Lord’s Supper offers us a joyful encounter with the risen Christ in which our eyes may be opened to recognize him in the breaking of bread.
As we return to our own routines—our own “fishing boats”—may we cultivate the awareness that transforms ordinary moments into holy encounters. With the eyes of faith, may we recognize Christ standing on the shores of our daily lives, calling out to us, and fulfilling his promise: “I am with you evermore.”
A Hymn for Today: “O choro pode durar / Though weeping and deepest sorrow”
The Lectionary psalm for this Sunday, Psalm 30, is the song of an individual who has experienced both good times and bad. The psalmist remembers a time when everything seemed possible and nothing could overcome them. Yet they also had scrapes with an enemy and more recently had come face to face with death. Their life had been going so well until things changed: “By your favor, O LORD, you had established me as a strong mountain; you hid your face; I was dismayed” (Ps 30:7).
The psalmist’s life was turned upside down and God seemed not to care. Yet this person chose to trust God and to pray for deliverance from their life-threatening illness or other problem. And now, freed from this burden, the singer of this psalm praises the God who set them free: “You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy” (Ps 30:11). Thankfulness has now become the song of this person’s life. Even if bad times should come again, the psalmist will always carry the memory of God’s faithfulness and even then can sing for joy: “O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever” (Ps 30:12).
This paraphrase of Psalm 30 (originally in Portuguese) and its musical setting were created by Simei Monteiro, FHS. Click here to hear it sung in its English version.
Refrain
Though weeping and deepest sorrow
may remain all night long,
with the dawn of morning
sadness turns to joy.
Verses
I will praise you, O my God,
For you lifted me and freed me.
You have changed my tears and mourning
Into dancing and joy.
I will praise you, O my God,
You protected me and saved me.
You have kept me from all danger,
you have spared me from all harm.
I will praise you, O my God,
For you heard my cry and healed me,
when you saw me sick and helpless,
you restored me, made me whole.
I will praise you, O my God,
I will sing and not be silent.
I give thanks to you forever,
For your mercy, grace, and love.
Text: Simei Monteiro © 2000 Simei Monteiro, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBK Musik. Used by permission under OneLicense #A-729857.
Music: Simei Monteiro
Image Credit: Breakfast on the Beach, Peter Koenig, late 20th century, Kettering, UK
“Word and Song: A Lectionary Reflection” is written by the Executive Director of The Hymn Society, Rev. Dr. Mike McMahon. For his full bio, click here and scroll down to the “staff” section.
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