Acts 3: 13- 15.17 -19ab, Psalm 4:2.4.7.9,
1 John 2: 1-5a,
Luke 24:35-48 Full Readings
You Are Witnesses to these Things
Brethren, there are seven Sundays in the Easter season and on this third Sunday we reflect on the last appearance of Jesus to the disciples in the Gospel of Luke. Today's Gospel is the continuation of the meeting of Jesus with the disciples on the road to Emmaus. As they were still telling their experience to the disciples in the upper room, Jesus appeared to them, and greeted them with peace. He comforted and calmed their unanswered questions by showing his body and even eating something. He finally explained to them that these things happened to fulfill the scripture and that they are witnesses to these things and they must proclaim them Jerusalem and beyond.
The fact that Jesus ate something and showed them his real body means that in our resurrection to true life, it is the whole person that is raised, not just the soul. Our bodies will be so real that we will be able to eat. Christian teaching is that a person is an animated body. We work out our salvation with fingers and toes and other bodily members, and all will be raised to life. It is not just a matter of thoughts and intentions! The whole body is baptised into Christ and is the instrument of our salvation. The body will be changed, and St Paul tells us that it is stupid to ask what sort of body we will have in the resurrection, but I shall be raised as a whole person.
“You are witnesses of these things,” Jesus said. What things? The Apostles were to be witnesses to the Paschal Mystery: Jesus’ suffering, death and Resurrection. The proclamation of these truths are the central mission of Jesus’ Apostles and all of us.
How often do you think about the Paschal Mystery? Perhaps you have heard those words but do not fully understand what they are. What is the “Paschal Mystery?” The Paschal Mystery was what Jesus told the Apostles to be witnesses to. They were to be witnesses to others that Jesus came from the Father, suffered death for our sins, rose from the dead to conquer sin and then ascended into Heaven to invite us to follow. This is the most central message of our faith.
The paschal mystery is the basis and fundamental for our Christian faith and belief. St Paul tells us without resurrection, our faith is in vain and in fact it is nothing, and we are still in our sins (1 Cor 15:17). What Jesus tells his disciples is our role too, to proclaim to everyone the salvation through Christ, who came from heaven as God man, lived with us, did many miracles and with many teachings, suffered, died, was burried, was raised from the dead on the third and is now seated at the right hand of God from where he will come to judge the living and the dead. We must proclaim this to everyone and every christian must know it.
Sometimes, we may be tempted only to dwell on doing good works as a sign of being a good Christian, but this is not enough. We must first know the fundamental truths of our faith and our salvation through Christ. These truths are the ones to lead us to charitable works not the other way round. We do not enter Heaven simply because we are good people; rather, we are able to enter Heaven only because of the saving act of the Paschal Mystery. And though this saving act calls us to a life of charitable service to others, that charitable work is more of an effect of salvation than it is the central purpose of our faith.
Therefore, let us continue, as the apostles did in the first reading, to call upon all people to repent and believe in Christ our savior, by being witnesses to the paschal mystery. We show and do this by our words and deeds and above all following his commandments. Jesus' saving act still continues, because if we sin, and call upon his mercy, he acts as an advocate with our Father in heaven. We have this wonderful advocate, let us love him and believe in him.
Reflect, today, upon how clearly you understand the purpose of the life of Christ. Do you understand the mysteries of His human life, suffering, death and Resurrection? Do you understand how these truths of our faith must change you at your very core? And do you understand your duty to be a witness to these mysteries of faith to others? Sit with these questions and allow them to sink in deeply so that you may join the Apostles in both the gift of redemption and the call to evangelize the world.
Let us Pray
Lord Jesus, help me always and open my mind as I try to grasp and witness to the paschal mystery. May this wonderful truth and my witness to it help me to know you more, love you more dearly and serve you more humbly. Amen
Blessed Sunday
No comments:
Post a Comment