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Children's Liturgy Series: 3rd Sunday of Easter

Author: Joyce Bott

Introduction

In today's Gospel, we learn about how Jesus appeared to the disciples for the third time after his Resurrection. Jesus reaffirms Peter's role as head of the church, despite Peter's denial of Jesus before he was crucified.

Opening Prayer

Come Holy Spirit, fill our hearts and our minds. Fill us with your peace, love, and understanding. Help us to hear God's message today and recognize His voice in our daily activities. Amen

Gospel (John 21:1-14)

At that time, Jesus revealed himself to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,“ Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” Jesus said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI_HrJzXYIk (Accredited to Catholic Kids Media)

Reflection

Ask: What meals do you remember Jesus sharing with his friends? (the Last Supper, the feeding of the multitude) What were the foods that were shared at these meals? (bread, fish, wine)

Say: This week's Gospel reading tells about another meal that Jesus shared with his friends. This meal was shared after Jesus' Resurrection. 

Ask: What were the disciples doing when Jesus called to them? (fishing) What happened when Jesus told them to toss their nets on the right side of the boat? (They caught a large number of fish.) What do the disciples see on the fire when they bring in the fish they have caught? (fish and bread)

Say: That morning on the shore, Jesus fed his disciples. Jesus feeds us, too. What do we call the meal in which Jesus feeds us? (the Eucharist) What food do we find at this meal? (bread and wine that have become the Body and Blood of Christ)

Say: The Eucharist is the meal in which Jesus feeds us with his Body and Blood. When we eat the Body and Blood of Christ, we become one with Jesus. Jesus helps us grow in body, in soul, and in love.

Conclude by thanking Jesus for giving us the Eucharist. Conclude praying together the Lord's Prayer.

Kids Bulletin

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Closing Prayer

Father in heaven, for the sake of bringing others closer to you, we give you today, all that we think and do and say, and we join it with all that was done by Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen