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Third Sunday of Easter • Year C
May 4, 2025
Original image • Click on black & white clipart (above left) or color photo-graphic (above) to view and download full resolution graphics for use on bulletin covers. • Tutorials available. • Original image
Small Insert with Full Texts: Because the lessons for today do not fit onto one page, this is a two page version of the small insert with the entirety of the texts for today.
Large Insert with Full Texts: Because the lessons for today do not fit onto one page, this is a two page version of the small insert with the entirety of the texts for today.
Historical Collect
O God, by the humiliation of your Son, you raised up this fallen world. Teach us whom you have rescued from endless death to have the fullness of eternal joy, through the same Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. For he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Gelasian Sacramentary, 7th Century)
Thematic Collect
Restoring God, fed and nourished by your Word and at your table, strengthen us to serve as your Son’s body in the world. Grant that we, like Peter, may follow your Son’s command to feed his sheep; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Common Thread
When God reveals himself, whether you can see him or not, the proper response is, “Here I am, Lord.” This is tantamount to saying, “Thy will be done” with me, your servant. When Saul was blinded on the way to Damascus, the Lord revealed himself: “I am Jesus.” The outcome was Saul’s baptism. When the Lord revealed himself to Ananias in a vision, the result was an enemy becoming a brother. The Lord may reveal himself even in the hiding of his face for a while. A change of attitude may ensue. When the Lamb reveals himself, even the hosts of heaven respond with joyful acclamation. So, when God reveals himself, we do not ask questions because we know it is the Lord. We are still before him, and await his word and will.
First Reading • Acts 9:1–22
Saul of Tarsus encountered the light of the world (John 8:12) on his way to Damascus. The brilliance of this light from heaven blinded him, “although his eyes were opened.” God had chosen him to carry the gospel to the world. Through the laying on of Ananias’ hands, Saul regained his sight and was filled with the Holy Spirit. He immediately began to proclaim Christ, proving that Jesus was the Messiah. As such, God used a man who had been blind to cause others to see.
Psalm • Psalm 30:1–12
God sometimes hides his face from us, as he did to Saul of Tarsus, so that we cannot see our way forward. Nevertheless, we may trust in the Lord and give him thanks, for he is merciful. “For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor for a lifetime.” In yet a little while, he restores us and brings joy.
Second Reading • Revelation 5:1–7, 8–14
Saul of Tarsus was blind but then saw clearly. John saw so clearly that the Lord gave him a vision of heaven. In his vision he saw what we all need to see, even if we feel exiled and alone. John saw the triumphant Lord of life, the living Lamb of God, bearing the wounds of his victory. Though he had been dead, he is alive forevermore. The all-powerful and all-knowing Lamb has ransomed people from every people and nation to be a kingdom and priesthood of all believers.
Gospel • John 21:1–14, 15–19
Jesus revealed himself to those disciples who had gone back to their old vocation of fishing. They were a frustrated group, unable to catch any fish. They could not see the fish that they were supposed to catch. As though to show them that they could trust their fishing guide, the Lord instructed them to cast their net again, but on the other side of the boat. The catch was staggering, but not so great as the number they would catch as fishers of men (Matt 4:19).
Resources
Links to Worship Resources for this Service
