3rd Sunday of Easter April 14, 2013

Bulletin: 3^rd Sunday of Easter April 14, 2013

Acts 5:27-32; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19
So what does it mean to follow Jesus? More importantly, what am I doing as a follower of Jesus? Do people in my life see Jesus in me all of the time or do I take ‘a vacation’ from the Lord? Today’s readings help me with this.
The Acts of the Apostles is the second volume of a two volume book written by St. Luke. He explains through the history of the chosen people and Jesus’ life, death and resurrection that the salvation promised in the Old Testament is now extended to the Gentiles, all people of all time. He gives an extensive account of the Church’s development from the resurrection of Jesus to Paul’s first Roman imprisonment where the book ends. Today’s reading gives me a stunning example of what I have to endure, really anyone, who has been called. In previous verses Peter and John healed a crippled man in Jesus’ name. Peter then gave an impressive sermon about the Risen Lord. Since all this happened in the Temple they were arrested and warned not to preach about Jesus again. Did they stop, no; they continued to preach and were thrown into jail again. In the middle of the night an angel released them and they went right back to preaching about Jesus. It wasn’t long until they were arrested a third time and this is where today’s reading comes in. Unfortunately a small part is left out of the reading and that’s where the two of them were scourged and then set free. And they were joyful to have suffered for the Lord. I look at my crosses in my ministry and in my own personal life and I see so often I’m a weakling. I’m afraid of being hurt or embarrassed or ridiculed or whatever. I look out for me and not for what the Lord is all about through me. Why do I do this? Is it anxiety, fear, anger maybe of what “I” have to do, or guilt? These are emotions that can be crippling and could form the basis for resentment, hatred even and loneliness. The apostles experienced these before saying YES and believing and TRUSTING in the Lord. Then as is easily seen, they become solid witnesses in faith to Jesus, the Father and the Spirit. They are free, they love, they realized all comes from God who has gifted them and needs them to be Jesus.
John explains in the gospel how even Jesus’ intimate companions didn’t recognize Him. Recognition comes through His actions, not through His words; another example for me. The great number of fish caught is a graphic example of how much God gives when asked; without Him, on my own; it’s just me and not God. After the meal Jesus cooked (again another reminder that I have to be a ‘servant’), Jesus directs His attention to Peter about the extent that he loves Jesus. How much do I love Jesus? I say it, I sing about it, I pray it, do I live it? Peter is upset, everyone is when challenged but Jesus’ insistence is His call to Peter to be involved in pastoral ministry. It is just like the call to me to use the gifts I have been blessed with to show Jesus, to be Jesus to each person in my life. This call is to each person. Peter is called to show compassion to those who have failed. As a shepherd, Jesus explains that Peter will suffer a fate similar to that which Jesus suffered. To what extent am I willing to suffer for the gospel?
In the passage from the Book of Revelation, John gives a beautiful view of heaven. This book explains what human history looks like from God’s point of view. If an angel was narrating the news tonight what would it tell me about the way things are going? Msgr. Chet Michael so often explains that all that we know is a ‘keyhole’ vision of God; we know less than 1% of all there is to know about God. So John is telling me that if all creation would be assembled and cry out to the Lord they would sing God’s praises. Wouldn’t that be so awesome? John says that it is happening. Now what am I doing to continue this joyous message of constantly praising God. So I ask myself how I praise God. Do I find this a regular part of my day? I have to constantly open my heart to Jesus so that I can be invigorated and strengthen by His love. When I do this I come to a newer experience of His care for me and my heart is filled with peace, joy and fulfillment. This is the hallmark of the Spirit. So why do I shy away from this? It all has to do with prayer…if I take time each day to be with God in prayer, I grow.

‘Faith Catholic’ explains it in this way, “Today’s readings remind us that giving thanks to God for the blessings He bestows upon us should be included as a part of our daily routine of prayer. Today’s Responsorial Psalm exhorts us to praise the Lord for He has rescued and saved us. This theme is also apparent in the second reading from the Book of Revelation which, through its majestic imagery, encourages us to join with the great host of creatures in both heaven and on earth in giving all proper glory, honor, praise and thanks to God.

Taking time to give thanks to God through prayer each day forms within us a deeper sense of gratitude. With hearts that are more open and responsive to experience more fully the depths of God’s love, we can pour ourselves out in love and service to others. Our goal should be to lead lives which give greater glory to God throughout the rest of this Easter season and every day thereafter.”
So I reflect on:

• Do I see that my call to be a follower of Jesus includes the call to witness, worship and watch out for the lowly and the least?
  
• One of the most essential things I need to be doing to have a heart that is open to Jesus and to the new and abundant life He wishes to give me is prayer. So why do I leave prayer as the least part of my day? Why isn’t it my whole day?
  
• Why was it important for Jesus to appear in His human form to the apostles after His resurrection? How did this affect the apostles’ understanding of Jesus’ ministry?
  
• What role does Jesus play in my faith life? How close is Jesus to me?
  

Sacred Space shares, “The disciples laboring all night and catching nothing is a little like what prayer can seem to us sometimes. Jesus encouraged them not to give up, to stay with the task. He knows there is benefit for me too, if I persevere.”