The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to conscious awareness of the Truth we hold as followers of Christ and how we act on that truth on our journey.
In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Peter’s Speech declares how the Jewish authorities rejected the Holy One.
* [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.
* [3:18] Through the mouth of all the prophets: Christian prophetic insight into the Old Testament saw the crucifixion and death of Jesus as the main import of messianic prophecy. The Jews themselves did not anticipate a suffering Messiah; they usually understood the Servant Song in Is 52:13–53:12 to signify their own suffering as a people. In his typical fashion (cf. Lk 18:31; 24:25, 27, 44), Luke does not specify the particular Old Testament prophecies that were fulfilled by Jesus. See also note on Lk 24:26. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 4 is a confident plea for deliverance from enemies.
* [Psalm 4] An individual lament emphasizing trust in God. The petition is based upon the psalmist’s vivid experience of God as savior (Ps 4:2). That experience of God is the basis for the warning to the wicked: revere God who intervenes on the side of the faithful (Ps 4:3–6). The faithful psalmist exemplifies the blessings given to the just (Ps 4:7–8). (Psalms, PSALM 4 | USCCB, n.d.)
The reading from the First Letter of John declares Christ our Advocate and prompts obedience to His Commandments.
* [2:1] Children: like the term “beloved,” this is an expression of pastoral love (cf. Jn 13:33; 21:5; 1 Cor 4:14). Advocate: for the use of the term, see Jn 14:16. Forgiveness of sin is assured through Christ’s intercession and expiation or “offering”; the death of Christ effected the removal of sin.
* [2:3–6] The way we may be sure: to those who claim, “I have known Christ and therefore I know him,” our author insists on not mere intellectual knowledge but obedience to God’s commandments in a life conformed to the example of Christ; this confirms our knowledge of him and is the love of God…perfected. Disparity between moral life and the commandments proves improper belief. (1 John, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus appears to His Disciples in Jerusalem.
* [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 | USCCB, n.d.)
Tamora Whitney comments that in the first reading from Acts, Peter tells the people that Jesus really died, was put to death through their own actions, but then rose like it was told. He says he personally witnessed and experienced this. The Gospel of Luke continues the idea of veracity.
The readings today all make the point that this is real. They really saw this. They really experienced this. This really happened. And the reason it really happened is to redeem us. To save us. If we let it. We have to believe and follow Jesus. (Whitney, n.d.)
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 it’s no wonder that Jesus’ first words when he appeared to the disciples were “Peace be with you” (Luke 24:36). How they needed that peace!
Whatever your situation, Jesus longs to do for you what he did for his disciples. He longs to open your mind to his mercy so that you can be set free from guilt or shame. He longs to reveal his love so that you can see your past—especially the painful parts—through his eyes of love and compassion. He longs to give you new insight into his wisdom so that you can look to your future with hope and trust.
Quiet your heart today so that you can hear Jesus speak to you. Let him “open your mind” and show you how he looks at you. Let him give you his peace.
“Jesus, help me to see with your eyes, to hear with your ears, and to love with your heart.” (Meditation on Luke 24:35-48, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the very Jewish presentation of kerygma in the Temple. The context of sin in the First Letter of John suggests a different author than the Gospel of John in which the only sin is to not believe in Jesus as the Only Son. The response to the heresy of Docetism and the necessity to keep the Commandments are themes in this letter. Friar Jude tracks the development of our relationship to Jesus, expressed by Stoic Luke, as through the influence of others, Word and Sacrament, and personal relationship.
Brian Purfield, Head of Theological Education at Mount Street Jesuit Centre, examines the Gospel accounts of the appearances of the risen Jesus.
Luke then turns to the risen Jesus’ appearance to the Eleven. More than Mark or Matthew, Luke stresses what was already implicit in the empty tomb: the reality of the body of the risen Jesus who was not simply a spirit (23:37-43). Particularly significant is that the risen Jesus teaches the Eleven about his death and resurrection by explaining the Scriptures, “All the things written about me in the Law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms must be fulfilled” (24:44). For Luke the Resurrection fulfils the Scriptures.
The two disciples on the road to Emmaus found their hearts burning when he opened to them the Scriptures. Again Luke’s emphasis is preparing the way for the Church life he will describe in Acts, where Peter, Stephen and Paul begin their preaching by emphasising that the Scriptures anticipate what happened to Jesus (Acts 2:14-21; 7:1-50; 13:16-22). (Purfield, 2008)
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, describes how art can serve as a gateway to mystical experience and deeper knowing. He shares two pieces of art that have given him this incarnational and contemplative insight.
The second piece of art is a small bronze statue of St. Francis, located in the upper basilica of Assisi, Italy. Created by a sculptor whose name is hidden, the statue shows Francis gazing down into the dirt with awe and wonder, which is quite unusual and almost shocking. The Holy Spirit, who is almost always pictured as descending from above, is pictured here as coming from below—even to the point of being hidden in the dirt! God is hidden in the dirt and mud instead of descending from the clouds. This is a major transposition of place. Once we know that the miracle of “Word made flesh” has become the very nature of the universe, we cannot help but be both happy and holy. What we first of all need is here! (Rohr, n.d.)
We contemplate the truth that is revealed to us through faith and seek the guidance of the Spirit to incorporate that truth in our actions.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 14, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/3?13
Luke, CHAPTER 24 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 14, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/24?35
Meditation on Luke 24:35-48. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 14, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/04/14/936482/
1 John, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 14, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/2?
Psalms, PSALM 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 14, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/4
Purfield, B. (2008, March 22). The Appearances of the Risen Lord. Thinking Faith. Retrieved April 14, 2024, from https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/20080322_1.htm
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Art Leads Us to the Depths. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved April 14, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/art-leads-us-to-the-depths/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus Opened Their Minds to Understand the Scriptures. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 14, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=apr14
Whitney, T. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 14, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/041424.html
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