3rd Sunday of Easter

In the weeks after Easter, the readings show how people came to believe that Jesus rose from the dead. The disciples did not always recognize Him at first, but when He spoke or broke bread with them, they knew it was Him. Jesus showed His wounds and ate with them to prove He was alive. He explained the Scriptures and gave them the mission to preach and forgive in His name.

The apostles were not afraid to speak about Jesus, even when they were punished. They were joyful to suffer for Him. We are reminded that Jesus gave His life to save us and that we are called to live in a way that shows we know and love Him. Trust in God brings peace, joy, and new life. Jesus asks us to follow Him and take care of others, just as He asked Peter to feed His sheep.

Click on the appropriate year below to see resources, themes, homilies, and more. See how to determine the correct year.

3rd Sunday of Easter Year A
3rd Sunday of Easter Year B
3rd Sunday of Easter Year C

Mass Readings for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year A

See resources, homilies, and more for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year A readings here.

• First Reading – Acts 2:14, 22-33: Peter stood with the other apostles and spoke to the crowd. He told them that what was happening had been promised long ago. He said Jesus was sent by God, was killed, and then raised from the dead. Peter said the prophets spoke about this, and now Jesus is alive and with God.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 16: The psalmist says they trust God to keep them safe. God gives them advice and shows them the right path. They believe God will stay close and will not leave them. God brings lasting joy and life.
• Second Reading – 1 Peter 1:17-21: Peter tells the people to respect God and live good lives. He reminds them that they were saved, not with money, but by the blood of Jesus. Jesus was chosen before the world began, and God raised Him from the dead. Because of this, they can have faith and hope in God.
• Gospel – Luke 24:13-35: Two disciples were walking to a village called Emmaus. Jesus came and walked with them, but they didn’t know it was Him. He talked with them about the Scriptures. Later, when He broke bread with them, they suddenly recognized Him. Then He disappeared, and they realized it had been Jesus all along.

Mass Readings for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year B

See resources, homilies, and more for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year B readings here.

• First Reading – Acts 3:13-15, 17-19: Peter tells the people they rejected Jesus and chose to free a criminal instead. He says they acted without understanding. Jesus’ death and resurrection happened just as God had planned. Peter tells them to turn back to God and ask for forgiveness.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 4: The psalmist calls out to God for help and knows that God listens. God brings joy and peace, even in hard times. Trusting in God brings safety and rest.
• Second Reading – 1 John 2:1-5: If we sin, Jesus speaks for us. He gave His life to take away our sins and the sins of the whole world. We show we know Him by doing what He says.
• Gospel – Luke 24:35-48: The disciples tell how they knew it was Jesus when He broke the bread. Then Jesus appeared to them. He showed them His hands and feet and ate with them to prove He was alive. He explained how the Scriptures said He would suffer, rise from the dead, and that people must be told to turn to God and be forgiven. He said they were His witnesses.

Mass Readings for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year C

See resources, homilies, and more for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year C readings here.

• First Reading – Acts 5:27-32, 40B-41: The apostles were brought before the high priest. They said they must obey God, not people. Even though they were punished, they were happy to suffer for following Jesus.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 30: The psalmist thanks God for saving him from danger and death. He praises God for healing and joy. God’s anger lasts a moment, but His kindness lasts forever.
• Second Reading – Revelation 5:11-14: John saw many angels praising Jesus, the Lamb. Then all creatures in heaven and on earth joined in. They gave praise and honor to God and to the Lamb forever.
• Gospel – John 21:1-19: Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples. They caught many fish after He told them where to cast their net. He gave them breakfast. Then He asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Each time, Jesus told him to take care of His followers.

Lookup Other Liturgical Dates in the Lectionary

The Bible is the complete collection of sacred texts. The Lectionary is a book used in Mass that contains selected Bible readings arranged according to the Church’s liturgical calendar. This arrangement ensures that key Scripture passages are read during specific times of the year. For example, on the 3rd Sunday of Easter, the Lectionary presents readings that reflect the themes of resurrection and discipleship.

The Lectionary follows a three-year cycle for Sunday readings: Year A focuses on the Gospel of Matthew, Year B on Mark, and Year C on Luke. The Gospel of John is featured during certain liturgical seasons. In the United States, the New American Bible (NAB) is the approved translation for Mass readings. This consistency helps Catholics hear and reflect on significant portions of Scripture throughout the liturgical year.

How to Determine the Liturgical Year

The liturgical cycle is a three-year sequence of A, B, and C.

• 2024 is Year B
• 2025 is Year C
• 2026 is Year A
• 2027 is Year B
• 2028 is Year C
• 2029 is Year A
• 2030 is Year B
• 2031 is Year C
• … and so on

On the 3rd Sunday of Easter, we hear how Jesus shows Himself to His followers after rising from the dead. In one story, He walks with two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They don’t know it’s Him at first. But when He breaks the bread, they finally see who He is. This reminds us that Jesus is with us, even when we don’t notice Him.

In another Gospel reading, Jesus appears to His friends and eats with them. He shows them His hands and feet. He is truly alive, not just a spirit. He helps them understand the Scriptures. He sends them out to preach about forgiveness.

The 3rd Sunday of Easter also reminds us of Peter and the other apostles. Even when they were punished, they kept talking about Jesus. They were happy to suffer for Him because they knew He was alive.

Each year, the readings on the 3rd Sunday of Easter help us remember that Jesus is risen and stays close to us. He calls us to follow Him, trust Him, and care for others.

Think about the 3rd Sunday of Easter readings. Where do you see Jesus in your life? How has He walked with you, even when you didn’t know it?

Please share your thoughts or your own experience in the comments. We would love to hear how these readings speak to you.