The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate the action that we are inspired to by the Spirit to invite all people to know transformation as revealed by Christ.
Transformation Time
In the reading from the Acts Of the Apostles, Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico.
* [3:21] The times of universal restoration: like “the times of refreshment” (Acts 3:20), an apocalyptic designation of the messianic age, fitting in with the christology of Acts 3:20 that associates the messiahship of Jesus with his future coming.1
Psalm 8 praises Divine Majesty and Human Dignity.
* [Psalm 8] While marvelling at the limitless grandeur of God (Ps 8:2–3), the psalmist is struck first by the smallness of human beings in creation (Ps 8:4–5), and then by the royal dignity and power that God has graciously bestowed upon them (Ps 8:6–9).2
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus Appears to His Disciples.
* [24:36–43, 44–49] The Gospel of Luke, like each of the other gospels (Mt 28:16–20; Mk 16:14–15; Jn 20:19–23), focuses on an important appearance of Jesus to the Twelve in which they are commissioned for their future ministry. As in Lk 24:6, 12, so in Lk 24:36, 40 there are omissions in the Western text. * [24:39–42] The apologetic purpose of this story is evident in the concern with the physical details and the report that Jesus ate food.3
Scott McClure comments that Jesus allows his disciples to witness his resurrection in an equally material, physical way. Jesus says, Look...Touch me and see... And then, they witnessed him eat. This is no symbol. No metaphor. This is what Peter meant when he told the crowd, God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses. Clearly, it is the resurrection of Jesus that compels Peter.
This Thursday in the Octave of Easter, can we claim the same as Peter? Is the resurrection of Jesus so strong a force in our lives so as to compel us? If not or if in doubt, do not despair. Thomas doubted, remember. Jesus even shared this human experience of doubt through his passion and death. Whether in doubt or belief, take heart that God meets us where we are - on whatever road or in whatever room of our lives. Jesus is risen! Rejoice!4
Don Schwager quotes “The Easter Alleluia,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"We are praising God now, assembled as we are here in church; but when we go on our various ways again, it seems as if we cease to praise God. But provided we do not cease to live a good life, we shall always be praising God. You cease to praise God only when you swerve from justice and from what is pleasing to God. If you never turn aside from the good life, your tongue may be silent but your actions will cry aloud, and God will perceive your intentions; for as our ears hear each others voices, so do God's ears hear our thoughts. " (excerpt from commentary on Psalm 148)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 24:35-48 comments that Jesus appears suddenly in the disciples’ midst. They are terrified! He immediately reassures them and even eats a piece of fish to show them that he is flesh and blood, not a ghost. He then opens their minds “to understand the Scriptures” so they can see that he has fulfilled all of God’s promises (Luke 24:45). Suddenly things are making sense.
We will never fully know or understand Jesus during our time on earth. But that doesn’t mean he wants to keep us in the dark. It may take time to grasp his love for you. You may need lots of nudges from his Spirit to get you going in the right direction. And that’s okay. Like any good teacher, Jesus builds on your understanding one step at a time. He may reach you through a homily or a Bible passage that speaks to a problem you’re having. Or maybe it’s through a relative or friend whose faith inspires you. He will always find ways to draw you closer so that you can enjoy a life of deeper joy and friendship with him. “Thank you, Jesus, for being such a patient, loving teacher.”6
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the Jewish context of the kerygma preached by Peter. The revelation of Jesus comes in three stages; hearing, sacrament, and seeing. Friar Jude reminds us that our parish resources for evangelization reflect our depth of commitment to Jesus mission.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares how we can receive the miracle of new life by embracing our own difficulties and “deaths” as Jesus did.
Death is not only physical dying. Death also means going to the full depths of things, hitting the bottom, going beyond where we’re in control. In that sense, we all go through many deaths in our lives, tipping points when we have to ask, “What am I going to do?” Many people turn bitter, look for someone to blame, and close down. Their “death” is indeed death for them because there is no room for growth after that. But when we go into the full depths and death of anything—even, ironically, the depths of our own sin—we can come out the other side transformed, more alive, more open, more forgiving of ourselves and others. And when we come out the other side, we know that we’ve been led there. We’re not holding on; we’re being held by a larger force, by a larger source that is not our own. That’s what it means to be saved! It means that we’ve walked through the mystery of transformation.7
We reflect on our recovery and restoration from difficulties in life and see the work of the Spirit that challenges us to proclaim the Good News.
References
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