Third Sunday of Easter (Year B)

First Reading - Acts 10.9-23

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles. At about midday, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry, and while a meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw the heavens opened, and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. In the sheet, there were all kinds of animals, reptiles, and birds. Then he heard a voice, saying, ‘Peter, get up. Kill, and eat.’ But Peter said, ‘Surely not, Lord; for I have never eaten anything profane, or unclean.’ The voice replied, ‘Whatever God declares clean, you should not call profane.’ This happened three times; then the vision was suddenly taken back up into heaven. Peter was still wondering what this could mean, when three men arrived, having been sent by the centurion, Cornelius. The three men were standing by the gate, asking whether Simon Peter was staying there. Peter was still thinking about the vision, but the Spirit said to him, ‘These men are searching for you. You are to go with them, without hesitation, for I have sent them to you.’ So Peter went down to meet them, saying, ‘I am Simon Peter. What brings you here?’ They answered, ‘The centurion Cornelius is a righteous man, who honours God, and is respected by the whole Hebrew nation. He was directed, by a vision of an angel, to summon you to his house, to hear what you have to say.’ So Peter invited them in, and gave them lodging for the night; and the next day, Peter, and a small group of believers, set off with them, towards the house of Cornelius. This is the word of the Lord.

Second Reading - 1 John 1.6-9

A reading from the first letter of John. We cannot say that we have fellowship with God if we are walking in darkness. But if we walk in the light, we have fellowship with God, and with one another. And the sacrifice of Jesus cleanses us from all our transgressions. If we say that we have done no wrong, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is far from us. But if we confess, God is faithful and just, and will forgive us, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel - Luke 24.36-48

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. The gathered disciples were talking about all that they had heard and seen, when Jesus himself stood amongst them, and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ They were astonished, and feared that they were seeing a ghost. Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, and why is there doubt in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet - touch, and see - for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ Overwhelmed by joy and amazement, the disciples were hardly able to believe that Jesus himself was standing amongst them. Jesus said, ‘Do you have anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of fish, and he took it, and ate in their presence. Then he said to them, ‘Everything that is written about me, in the law of Moses, in the prophets, and in the psalms, must be fulfilled.’ And he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, where it is written that the Messiah is to suffer, and to rise from the dead on the third day; and that repentance, and forgiveness, will be proclaimed, in his name, to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. And he said to them, ‘You are witnesses to these things.’ This is the Gospel of the Lord.