Gospel: Jn 3:16–21
Yes, God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but may have eternal
life. God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world; instead, through him the world is to be saved. Whoever
believes in him will not be condemned. He who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in

Gospel: Jn 3:7b–15
Because of this, don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again from above.’
The wind blows where it pleases and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it
comes from or where it is going. It is like that with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Gospel: Jn 3:1–8
Among the Pharisees there was a ruler of the Jews named Nicodemus. He came to
Jesus by night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you have come from God to teach us, for no
one can perform miraculous signs like yours unless God is with him.” Jesus replied,

Gospel: Jn 20:19–31
On the evening of that day, the first day after the Sabbath, the doors were locked where the disciples were,
because of their fear of the Jews. But Jesus came, and stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you!”
Then he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples, seeing the Lord, were full of joy.
Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” After saying this, he breathed on them,

Gospel: Mk 16:9–15
After Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary of Magdala, from whom he had driven out
seven demons. She went and reported the news to his followers, who were now mourning and weeping. But when they
heard that he lived, and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. After this he showed himself in another
form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. These men also went back and told the others, but they did not believe them.
Later Jesus showed himself to the Eleven while they were at table. He reproached them for their unbelief, and hardness of
heart, in refusing to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. Then he told them, “Go out to the whole world and proclaim
the Good News to all creation.

Reflection:

This is a recapitulation of Jesus’ resurrection appearances. We have the
impression that the news is not accepted easily by the disciples. That is why the
resurrection appearances are many and with various peoples. It is too big an
event that the mind needs time to adjust before it can give space to this
new reality that inserted itself to human reality. But the Lord could not go
on appearing until they believe. That is why He appears in this gospel to
all when they are at table, rebuke their unbelief, and give them a command.
They have to take over now that He is near in going back to the Father. It
is time that He entrusts to them His unfinished work. It will be challenging times
ahead for the disciples. A great responsibility is given them. The joy of the
resurrection gives way to somber reality.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2021

Gospel: Jn 21:1–14*
(…) When the sun came up, Jesus was standing on the shore, but the disciples did not
know that it was Jesus. Jesus called out, “Friends, have you anything to eat?” They
answered, “Nothing.” Then he said to them, “Throw the net on the right side of the boat and
you will find something.” When they had lowered the net, they were not able to pull it in
because of the great number of fish. Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter,
“It’s the Lord!” At these words, “It’s the Lord!” Simon Peter put on his clothes, for he was
stripped for work, and jumped into the water. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging
the net full of fish; they were not far from land, about a hundred meters.
When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said
to them, “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed into the boat
and pulled the net to shore. It was full of big fish one hundred and fifty-three but, in spite of this,
the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” And not one of the disciples dared to
ask him, “Who are you?” for they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it
to them, and he did the same with the fish. (...)

Reflection:

This is the third time Jesus shows Himself to His disciples not counting
His appearance to the women who went to His tomb. First is with the two
disciples on the road to Emmaus, the second is with the gathered disciples in the
room, and now some of the disciples that went fishing in the Lake Tiberias. It was one
of those nights when fishes don’t bite. They caught nothing. Their luck is as
dark as the night that they went fishing. But with the advent of dawn, their luck
changed. A stranger told them to lower their nets on the right side of the boat
and they caught plenty of fishes. It is John who recognizes the Lord first.
After all he is the beloved. But it was Peter who approached the Lord first.
The loaves and the fish that awaited them on the shore is too familiar an experience
for them. They could not be mistaken. Their Lord is truly risen from the dead.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2021

Gospel: Lk 24:35–48
Then the two told what had happened o the road to Emmaus, and how Jesus had made himself known, when he broke bread with them.
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood in their midst. (He said to them, “Peace to you.”) In their panic and fright they
thought they were seeing a ghost, but he said to them, “Why are you upset, and how does such an idea cross your minds? Look at my hands and
feet, and see that it is I myself! Touch me, and see for yourselves, for a ghost has no flesh and bones as I have!” (As he said this, he showed his hands
and feet.) Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, as they were astonished; so he said to them, “Have you anything to eat?” And
they gave him a piece of broiled fish. He took it, and ate it before them. Then Jesus said to them, “Remember the words I spoke to you when I was
still with you: Everything written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds
to understand the Scriptures. And he said, “So it was written: the Messiah had to suffer, and on the third day rise from the dead.
Then repentance and forgiveness in his name would be proclaimed to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.

Reflection:

Right after their resurrection experience on the road to Emmaus, the
two disciples immediately pivoted back to Jerusalem. They shared the good news.
It somehow confirms the claims of the women who went to visit the Lord’s tomb
early morning after the Sabbath. And then Jesus comes and shows Himself
to them. It is not only the testimony of the women and the two disciples that
affirm the resurrection. His appearance to them and His demonstration that He is an
alive, breathing being that eats food like anyone else close all possibilities of doubt.
And again, He reiterated that all these happened because of the Scriptures. It took the
disciples a long time before they could really understand this. That’s why Jesus has
to appear several times to confirm that He is alive.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2021

Gospel: Lk 24:13–35*
That same day, two followers of Jesus were going to Emmaus (...) While they were talking and arguing (...) Jesus came up and
walked with them, but their eyes were not able to recognize him. He asked, “What is it you are talking
about?” (...) They replied, “It is about Jesus of Nazareth. He was a prophet, you know, mighty in word and deed before God and
the people. But the chief priests and our rulers sentenced him to death. They handed him over to be crucified. We had hoped that
he would redeem Israel. (...) He said to them, “How dull you are, how slow of understanding! Is the message of the prophets too difficult for you to
understand? Is it not written that the Christ should suffer all this, and then enter his glory?” (...) As they drew near the village
they were heading for, Jesus made as if to go farther. But they prevailed upon him, “Stay with us, for night comes quickly. The
day is now almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When they were at table, he took the bread, said a blessing, broke it,
and gave each a piece. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; but he vanished out of their sight. (...)

Reflection:

After the resurrection, Jesus is busy catching up with His scattered
disciples. In this instance, two of them are walking far away from Jerusalem.
They are on the way to Emmaus. We do not know the reasons for their
journey. Are they fleeing? Do they have a mission to do in Emmaus in behalf
of their group? We can only speculate. But what is amazing is that Jesus walks
with them. First He was an anonymous stranger. Then He teaches them
everything from scriptures (Old Testament) regarding the Messiah. From the
words of their holy book their understanding slowly progresses. It is during the
breaking of the bread that they fully know the mysterious stranger as
their Lord and Master. The Word and the Bread. They form a unity that enables
us to understand who Jesus is in a deeper way.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2021

Gospel: Jn 20:11–18
Mary stood weeping outside the tomb; and as she wept, she bent down to look inside. She saw two angels in white, sitting
where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head, and the other at the feet. They said, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She
answered, “Because they have taken my Lord and I don’t know where they have put him.” As she said this, she turned around and

Gospel: Mt 28:8–15
In fear, yet with great joy, the women left the tomb and ran to tell the news to his disciples.
Suddenly, Jesus met them on the way and said, “Rejoice!” The women approached him,
embraced his feet and worshiped him. But Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid! Go