THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER - MAY 4, 2025

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

To live the Christian life is a struggle, but that struggle would be impossible if we were to go it alone. In this life, we constantly fight off the temptation to sin or to give up when we are persecuted or ostracized for our faith. However, we are equipped with the armor of faith and the weapon of prayer, not only to defend ourselves, but to pray on behalf of those who are defenseless. Even after our death, we will most likely go through the pains of purification, but because our love and recognition of God will be whole and complete, we will take on that purification with great love and joy. In order to get to where we ultimately belong, in the embrace of the Father, we must rely on each other. We must depend on this Church.

READ THIS SUNDAY'S MESSAGE

The Catholic Church exists in three states: the Church Militant, the Church Penitent, and the Church Triumphant. The Church Militant is the Church on earth, working towards union with God and fighting against sin and the temptations of this world. The Church Penitent are those souls in purgatory, preparing themselves for perfect union with the Christ. We are all working towards participating in the Church Triumphant, or as it is more widely known, Heaven. This process begins with struggle; as members of the Church Militant, we simply cannot try to navigate our time on this earth alone. This is why we have the Catholic Church and the Magisterium to guide us towards participating in the Church Triumphant. This Sunday’s Gospel reading is one of the last stories of Christ’s time on earth, but it is also one of the most important in understanding the Church Christ established. Jesus left the Church on earth in the hands of the Apostles, specifically under the leadership of Peter, and this scene is the moment when that is clearly laid out. Peter decides to go fishing, and the others follow him. When they realize that the risen Christ is at the shore, Peter leaps into the water to chase after him. After this, Jesus presents to the Apostles a breakfast of fish and bread, but the breakfast is focused on Peter. It’s cooked on a charcoal fire, the same type of fire where Peter warmed himself when he denied Christ. Jesus is offering Peter a chance to undo his denial and to accept the role Christ has bestowed upon him. When Peter denied Christ, he could not even bare the slight discomfort of cold hands while his master was being tortured but at this moment, Christ speaks to the Church through Peter. Being part of the Church will bring discomfort, pain, and persecution. However, if we fight for our faith and willingly take up the cross that is presented to us in this life as Catholics, we will follow Peter and his successors who ultimately followed the path of Christ: to suffer now for the Church will enable us to fully participate in the Church Triumphant.