A direct connection

Third Sunday of Easter – C

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults describes the Period of Post-Baptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy as “a time for the community and the neophytes together to grow in deepening their grasp of the paschal mystery” (244). Let us go deeper into what the paschal mystery means especially for us who prepare the liturgy.

Thomas last week showed us that having total faith in the paschal mystery means refusing to be imprisoned by our stubborn will. This week, Peter shows us what that act of faith and humility will lead to: a complete de-centering of ourselves—our needs and preferences—so that we may be bound in service to others through concrete acts of love.

In the tender dialogue with Peter, Jesus makes a direct connection between love for him and love for the people he has gathered into his flock. We cannot love God without loving the people God has created. And as liturgical ministers, we cannot love the liturgy—its beauty, art, and music—without loving the people who pray the liturgy.

Our attention to the church’s liturgical documents and treasury of sacred music must lead to our concern for the needs of the worshiping assembly. We serve God and the liturgy well when we focus not on our preferences but on what truly feeds the people who have been entrusted into our care.

This post was first published in “GIA Quarterly: A Liturgical Music Journal.”

Image credit: Photo by hiphoto40 from Getty Images Pro.

Read more reflections on the Sunday readings here:

• Prune our hearts
• Heed and follow
• New life in Christ
• Now what?
• We are Loved and Longed For