Walking with Jesus: Third Sunday of Easter B

For Sunday, April 14, 2024

Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; 1 John 2:1-5; Luke 24:35-48

Jesus, Mary, the apostles and the early followers of Jesus were all Jewish. They went to the Temple in Jerusalem to celebrate special historic occasions and feasts at the heart of Israel’s most cherished traditions. Following Jesus’ Resurrection they went to the Synagogue and afterward gathered for the “Breaking of the Bread.” We read this in Peter’s introduction address to his fellow Jewish believers. Peter is telling them who Jesus really is: the servant of the God of their ancestors … the long-awaited Messiah … the innocent, suffering servant described in Isaiah and the prophets. Jesus is also a real person rooted in the religious history of a real people. They have hoped and prayed for this Messiah for centuries, but the centuries have conjured up and produced all sorts of dreams … hopes … desires … descriptions of what this Messiah will be like. It's obvious that many will fail to see — understand — choose — this Messiah, because Jesus doesn’t fit into their individual Messiah concepts. So Who Really is This Jesus?

When the Emmaus disciples tag along with Jesus, they recognize Him in the Breaking of the Bread. Obviously they are at the Last Supper and listen, watch and grow to love Jesus and know that He is from God … and are beginning to accept that He is God. It’s a great reflection for us when we gather around the table for the same sacramental meal and we encounter the risen Lord. We too are meant to recognize Him in the “Breaking of the Bread,” the Eucharist and in Breaking Open of the Word in the Scriptures. So what do we need? Docile hearts and a willingness to listen and be attentive to the movements of love in our lives. All the love we receive and the love we share gives us much insight into God because, as St. John repeatedly preaches and writes, God is love! Do I love God? Do I let God love me? Do I have my own, self-conceived opinions of God? Do these fit into a God who is love?

Peter has just cured a crippled beggar, producing “… amazement and astonishment in all the people present.” [Acts 3:9-10] Peter places some of the blame for the death of Jesus on those listening to Him. From God’s point of view, Jesus’ suffering and death fulfills some of the messianic expectations found in the prophetic traditions leading people to understand God and the God in Jesus. How is my relationship with Jesus? Is it with love?

In the second reading, John writes for everyone then and now — those listening to him and each of us also — to avoid sin. We try, and we beat ourselves up when we fail: not realizing that God is leading us through our sins to depend on Him and His plan for each of us to be in heaven. This is guaranteed by following the commandments; particularly the triple commands of love and helping the needy and less fortunate and those whom God places in our lives. He shares: “Those who know Him, but do not keep His commandments are liars and the truth is not in them. But whoever keeps His word, the love of God is truly perfected in him.” [1 John 2:4-5] All is not lost; Jesus is our advocate. He is in the presence of God since He has been raised from the dead. He is good, principled, a life lived in love despite being condemned as a criminal. And the shedding of His blood and crucifixion is, at the time of His death and throughout all time, the sacrifice that atones for sins. Love is constantly being brought to fulfillment. Do we give up? Why? The answer is found always in love.

Luke begins the gospel with an explanation of how the gospel will be spread initially, referring to the two travelers to Emmaus. They have reported back to Jerusalem in the Upper Room and Jesus appears. They are “startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost.” [Luke 24:37] How can they ever explain this? They are being transformed. They are believers. They will soon perform miracles themselves — healing, expelling demons, even raising the dead. Imagine being one of them, touching another, and watching the cured person jump up and down because they have been always crippled … or they can now see … or their leprosy has healed totally and there's no more being rejected and despised by others. We’ve done this in many ways in our own lives by bringing life to others. We can’t explain what we've done or how we did it; we just know absolutely that “it wasn’t me who did it … no doubt, it was God.” Right — it was God and it is God. Here's what can we learn: The Acts of the Apostles is not just something known but something lived. Jesus is made known in the sacraments. Our faith consists of these traditions and living … it cannot exist without them. We are not solo individuals but a community of love — living love — caring for those having a hard time loving, and lifting up those who have forever been denied love. Why? Because God created you and me to be love! Praise God!

So I reflect on:

• I, and others, carry bits of doubt and fear in our faith, but God is patient with ALL. Consider yourself among these apostles, women, disciples in the Upper Room. Catch their being transformed when Jesus comes. He is always with me … you … loving all the way.
• I look at myself … all my warts and blessings. I can cut myself down so easily. God doesn’t. He created me … made me the way I am ... so I can love just the way I am. I may be an “idiot and a fool,” but God’s got me covered. He loves idiots and fools, you and me.

Sacred Space 2024 states:

“Resurrection appearances brought up a range of reactions in the disciples. With Jesus’ death, their hopes had evaporated and their faith dwindled. Lord, open our hearts to the surprising ways You reveal Yourself. We pray that we may grow in the sense of wonder of who You are and all You have done for us.

“The disciples sought proof of Jesus’ resurrection. Showing His wounds opened their minds and being given something to eat eased some of their unbelief. Lord, transform our inner wounds and strengthen us in the sufferings of life so that we are free to share the new life You offer to us.”