April 30, 2017

3rd Sunday of Easter A Acts 2:14, 22-23; 1 Peter 1: 17-21; Luke 24: 13-35 The gospel is the wonderful story of two of Jesus’ disciples encountering Jesus as they left Jerusalem heading probably home. Jesus had died, they had just heard that Jesus had risen from the dead. They were confused, wondering what to do and what should they be doing. I was thinking about how many disciples Jesus had. Luke tells us in his gospel (Lk 9:1-6) how Jesus sent out the twelve apostles to continue the work that He had been performing throughout His Galilean ministry. Then Luke (10: 1-12) shares how Jesus sent out an additional 70 (72) disciples in pairs to every town that Jesus intended to visit. I would guess that the two in today’s Gospel were part of these seventy-two. They must have been proud to be selected to go on this original mission. Luke shares the results: “The seventy-two returned rejoicing, and said, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of Your name. Jesus said, ‘I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold I have given you the power to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Did they understand these words? Did they realize what their role meant in preparing others for Jesus’ arrival? What difference did the presence of Jesus mean to them? What does it mean to us? How often are we aware of Jesus’ presence in our lives? How often do we experience meaning and purpose in our lives? Today’s Psalm Response helps us, “Lord, you will show us the path of life.” We take some time to delve further in the readings to understand the way the Spirit is leading us. The Apostles have received the Holy Spirit. A side note: each one of us reading this blog has received the Spirit in Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist and each time we receive a Sacrament. Do we realize this? Do we ask the Spirit for help? Do we realize that we have a mission from the Spirit? Peter and the others were assembled, “And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were.” Then Peter and the others went out to a very large gathered crowd from all over the world who were listening to the apostles and each could understand them in their own native tongue. There was tremendous confusion and Peter gave the talk we heard in the first reading. He gives a brief overview of Jesus, a man sent by God “with mighty deeds, wonders and signs.” His aim was to share the Fathers’s plan of each person drawing closer to God and gaining eternal life. God’s plan included the death of Jesus by crucifixion. In ignorance they killed Jesus “using lawless men.” But this failure as Peter explains later does not exclude them from God’s saving grace. Peter then invites the crowd to repent, be baptized and receive the same gift. How shy are we in sharing the gift of the Spirit? Scholars tell us that today’s second reading is from a Baptismal sermon delivered from Peter. These were adults and their baptism, as ours, initiated them into a new relationship with God. This is the same type of relationship that the two Emmaus disciples had when they were called to prepare the towns for Jesus’ visit. They, like us are to be ‘different’. We are to live by a different standard. The four previous verses in Peter’s letter today set this standard, “Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Like obedient children do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance but, as He who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, ‘Be holy because I am holy.’” We look deeper into the Gospel: these two disciples were no doubt returning to the safety of their own home and community, uncertain of many things. Jesus appears. They were discouraged by the crucifixion and could not figure out what ‘rising’ from the dead meant. Jesus explained His life and how this was totally connected to God’s plan as seen in the Old Testament. They came to share in the ‘breaking of the bread’ and they recognized this Divine Stranger…He disappeared…they returned to Jerusalem. Why didn’t they recognize Jesus from the beginning? - Was it their preconceived notions about what and who the Messiah would be? And how could a Messiah die? - Were they still harboring the idea that the Messiah would kick out Roman domination? - Do we fail to realize that the person standing in front of us, is a loving created part of God’s creation? - Can I see God in each person, each day? Do I even review these people in my mind at the end of the day, trying to find Jesus? More importantly they recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread. Their faith was strong, but wandering. They had never fully considered who Jesus was. Do we make the same mistake? Do we feel that God can and does help us but only when we are good? Do we feel God is busy and can’t help ‘little old me’? Do we feel that it is our sins that prevent God from gracing us and helping us? They knew about Jesus and could speak volumes on His teaching, His miracles, His example, His care and compassion on all, but did they know Him? Did they know Him as He knows each one of us as a personal friend? Do we realize that God loves each of us as His creation who is a loving, redeemed, forgiven sinner? Do we let Jesus be this God for each of us? Each one of us travel the road of life each day and God is traveling that exact route with us. We still have our Emmaus-like experiences of fear, confusion, dread and worry. We feel unloved and unforgiven and yet we know somehow that we are loved and forgiven. This never stops God…He continually lets His presence be seen and known…we are that important to God. What can I do to be aware and in love more deeply with this loving God? I reflect on: • Do I think of Jesus as a personal friend? How much do I trust Him? How much do I think He loves me? • If Jesus were to live among us today in human form, where would I find Him? What injustices would he be resisting? Who would be opposing Him? Would His presence make a difference in the world? Would I help Him in His work? Would I gladly consent to go before Him to where He intends to visit? How would I love Him in action? Sacred Space 2017 states: “The trudging disciples had turned their back on Jerusalem and were picking over the story as they knew it. So it was that Jesus found them, coming near and walking with them. I let Him fall in step with me now. Jesus, find me where I am. Draw near, Jesus, and walk with me. Help me recognize how my story comes to life as I listen toYours. Let me hear your good news so that my heart warms.”