The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today encourage us to continue to support fullness of life in the knowledge that Jesus walks with us through the action of the Spirit.
Walking for life
In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Peter Heals a Crippled Beggar.
* [3:6–10] The miracle has a dramatic cast; it symbolizes the saving power of Christ and leads the beggar to enter the temple, where he hears Peter’s proclamation of salvation through Jesus.1
Psalm 105 praises God’s Faithfulness to Israel.
* [Psalm 105] A hymn to God who promised the land of Canaan to the holy people, cf. Ps 78; 106; 136. Israel is invited to praise and seek the presence of God (Ps 105:1–6), who is faithful to the promise of land to the ancestors (Ps 105:7–11). In every phase of the national story—the ancestors in the land of Canaan (Ps 105:12–15), Joseph in Egypt (Ps 105:16–22), Israel in Egypt (Ps 105:23–38), Israel in the desert on the way to Canaan (Ps 105:39–45)—God remained faithful, reiterating the promise of the land to successive servants.2
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus meets followers on the walk to Emmaus.
* [24:13–35] This episode focuses on the interpretation of scripture by the risen Jesus and the recognition of him in the breaking of the bread. The references to the quotations of scripture and explanation of it (Lk 24:25–27), the kerygmatic proclamation (Lk 24:34), and the liturgical gesture (Lk 24:30) suggest that the episode is primarily catechetical and liturgical rather than apologetic.3
Nancy Shirley comments that Jesus, the consummate teacher, patiently relates to them all the teachings that have preceded his coming. To their credit, they are willing to listen to this stranger and even want him to stay with them and talk more. Their faith is beginning to strengthen and appropriately in the breaking of the bread are their eyes opened.
Sometimes I wonder what it takes to get my eyes open – this has been a hard semester for a variety of reasons and I have struggled with my own faith – not so much the basic belief in Jesus and his redemption for us – just how to deal with this world that seems to be falling down around me – things in my career path (approaching retirement with a definite date is scary) that consistently seem to be no win scenarios, challenges in relationships on various levels, and the global state of affairs. I want to just be enveloped in the arms of Jesus and know that everything will be okay. I can know that on a certain level, but I need eyes that see and ears that hear. Remembering all that has taken place in the resurrection should provide that comfort – I just need to lean into it . . . .4
Don Schwager quotes “The Easter Alleluia,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Now therefore, brethren, we urge you to praise God. That is what we are all telling each other when we say Alleluia. You say to your neighbor, "Praise the Lord!" and he says the same to you. We are all urging one another to praise the Lord, and all thereby doing what each of us urges the other to do. But see that your praise comes from your whole being; in other words, see that you praise God not with your lips and voices alone, but with your minds, your lives and all your actions." (excerpt from commentary on Psalm 148)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 3:1-10 comments that like the disciples, we too have been sent to “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Like Peter, we can call on the name of Jesus. Take a moment to think about how powerful that name is. It is mightier than any other name. It’s the name to which all of creation must bow (Philippians 2:9-10).
So the next time you are praying for something difficult, don’t just think about the difficulty. Think about whom you’re praying to: Jesus, whose name means “God saves.” He has sent you with his authority to do his works. When you call on him with a sincere heart, he will come to you. When you say his name with reverence, he is there with you. It’s true whether you pray for a friend’s healing or your own. It’s true whether you ask for patience, strength, wisdom, or peace. It’s true even if your prayer isn’t answered exactly how or when you hoped it would be. Jesus hears you. So don’t fail to call on his name! “Lord Jesus Christ, I praise you for your powerful name!”6
Friar Jude Winkler notes that the followers of Jesus practiced as a sect of Judaism late into the first century. The passage from Luke illustrates our usual path to knowing Jesus from hearing from others about Him, through Word and Sacrament, and finally face to face in community and nature. Friar Jude notes that Stoic Luke underlines the plan of God that we recognize Jesus as one of us.
Father Richard Rohr, OFM, shares the words of Theologian and Episcopal priest Kelly Brown Douglas who participated in a protest in support of Black lives and was filled with unexpected joy and what she calls “resurrecting hope”.
Standing in that small space of Black Lives Matter Plaza in front of the White House was the most motley and diverse crew of God’s sacred creation that I had seen come together in protest. They reflected an “otherwise way of being in the world.” They were Black, white, brown, Asian and non-Asian, Latinx and non-Latinx, queer and non-queer, trans and non-trans, bi-gendered and non-bi-gendered. They were also young and old and everything in between. . . . People were there advocating, each in their own way, for a world that looked more like God’s just future: a future where all people were living in the peace that was justice. They were embodying that very future. [1]7
CAC teacher Brian McLaren envisions much the same in a world saturated by the Risen Christ’s presence.
Resurrection has begun. We are part of something rare, something precious, something utterly revolutionary. It feels like an uprising. An uprising of hope, not hate. An uprising armed with love, not weapons. An uprising that shouts a joyful promise of life and peace, not angry threats of hostility and death. It’s an uprising of outstretched hands, not clenched fists. It’s the “someday” we have always dreamed of, emerging in the present, rising up among us and within us. It’s so different from what we expected—so much better. This is what it means to be alive, truly alive. This is what it means to be en route, walking the road to a new and better day. Let’s tell the others: the Lord is risen! [2]7
As we walk our journey in the company of Jesus, we are nudged by the Spirit to reveal His Presence in our day to day action.
References
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