The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today proclaim our relationship with Jesus as our source of the full life promised in the Gospel.
In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Peter speaks in Solomon’s Portico.
* [3:13] Has glorified: through the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, God reversed the judgment against him on the occasion of his trial. Servant: the Greek word can also be rendered as “son” or even “child” here and also in Acts 3:26; 4:25 (applied to David); Acts 4:27; and Acts 4:30. Scholars are of the opinion, however, that the original concept reflected in the words identified Jesus with the suffering Servant of the Lord of Is 52:13–53:12.
* [3:14] The Holy and Righteous One: so designating Jesus emphasizes his special relationship to the Father (see Lk 1:35; 4:34) and emphasizes his sinlessness and religious dignity that are placed in sharp contrast with the guilt of those who rejected him in favor of Barabbas.
* [3:15] The author of life: other possible translations of the Greek title are “leader of life” or “pioneer of life.” The title clearly points to Jesus as the source and originator of salvation.
* [3:17] Ignorance: a Lucan motif, explaining away the actions not only of the people but also of their leaders in crucifying Jesus. On this basis the presbyters in Acts could continue to appeal to the Jews in Jerusalem to believe in Jesus, even while affirming their involvement in his death because they were unaware of his messianic dignity. See also Acts 13:27 and Lk 23:34. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 3, n.d.)
Psalm 8 contrasts 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). (Psalms, PSALM 8, n.d.)
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. (Luke, CHAPTER 24, n.d.)
Mike Cherney comments that “I find my relative insignificance in an extensive cosmic reality personally humbling. I also find that such a context makes God’s care for us a truly astonishing gift.”
Dear Lord,
My faith seems less concerned about what happens after death. Nevertheless, I find myself pondering what resurrection meant for Jesus and what it means for human beings.
I see my faith growing out of my experience of You touching my life. Thank You for the gift of Your Spirit. Like the author of today’s Psalm, I experience joy and gratitude in Your care for one as insignificant as I am. (Cherney, 2023)
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) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 24:35-48 comments that the great surprise of the gospel is that the Messiah was not Superman. He was far greater. He suffered and died out of love for humankind—love for us, personally, and for everyone else. But through that suffering, he was victorious. God’s perfect love, not superhuman strength, defeated sin and death.
We don’t have to be Supermen and women, either. We don’t have to rely on our own strength; the risen Jesus empowers us to walk in his ways. And when we do sin, we know that because of Jesus’ suffering and death, we can repent and be forgiven.
This is a story line only God could have written. Today, praise him for all he has done for you in Christ!
“Lord Jesus, thank you for dying and rising out of love for me!” (Meditation on Luke 24:35-48, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on Jesus as the fulfillment of the promised Messiah as proclaimed in the Acts of the Apostles. The Gospel of Luke presents a third resurrection narrative in a progression from the encounter at the Tomb. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus is the Messiah in the fulfillment of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Matthew Fox, one of the primary contemporary theologians to articulate a renewed vision of the universal or cosmic Christ, who focuses on the Resurrection’s cosmic implications.
Who does not seek Resurrection? Who does not seek a full and fuller life? Did Jesus not promise, “I have come that you may have life, life in abundance” (John 10:10)? How am I Resurrection … [and] Life for others?
To be Resurrection for another I need to be Resurrection for myself. That means I cannot dwell in [despair] and death and anger and oppression and submission and resentment and pain forever. I need to wake up, get up, rise up, put on life even when days are dark and my soul is down and shadows surround me everywhere…. I have to listen to the voice that says:
“Be resurrection.”… “Be born again. And again. And again. Rise up and be counted. Rise up and imbibe the good news deeply—that death does not conquer, that life, not death, has the last word….” (Rohr, 2023)
We praise God for the daily events of rising above situations of darkness and despair as we respond to the prompting of the Spirit to fullness of life.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 3. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved April 13, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/3?11
Cherney, M. (2023, April 13). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved April 13, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/041323.html
Luke, CHAPTER 24. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved April 13, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/24?35
Meditation on Luke 24:35-48. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 13, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/04/13/655836/
Psalms, PSALM 8. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved April 13, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/8?2
Rohr, R. (2023, April 13). Be Resurrection — Center for Action and Contemplation. Daily Meditations Archive: 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/be-resurrection-2023-04-13/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus Opened Their Minds to Understand the Scriptures. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 13, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=apr13
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