APRIL 22, 2012 - THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

Third Sunday of Easter
Lectionary: 47

Reading 1 Acts 3:13-15, 17-19

Peter said to the people:
"The God of Abraham,
the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,
the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus,
whom you handed over and denied in Pilate's presence
when he had decided to release him.
You denied the Holy and Righteous One
and asked that a murderer be released to you.
The author of life you put to death,
but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses.
Now I know, brothers,
that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did;
but God has thus brought to fulfillment
what he had announced beforehand
through the mouth of all the prophets,
that his Christ would suffer.
Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away."

Responsorial Psalm Ps 4:2, 4, 7-8, 9

R. (7a) Lord, let your face shine on us.
or:
R.  Alleluia.
When I call, answer me, O my just God,
you who relieve me when I am in distress;
have pity on me, and hear my prayer!
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
or:
R.  Alleluia.
Know that the LORD does wonders for his faithful one;
the LORD will hear me when I call upon him.
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
or:
R.  Alleluia.
O LORD, let the light of your countenance shine upon us!
You put gladness into my heart.
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
or:
R.  Alleluia.
As soon as I lie down, I fall peacefully asleep,
for you alone, O LORD,
bring security to my dwelling.
R. Lord, let your face shine on us.
or:
R.  Alleluia.

Reading 2 1 Jn 2:1-5a

My children, I am writing this to you
so that you may not commit sin.
But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous one.
He is expiation for our sins,
and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.
The way we may be sure that we know him is to keep
his commandments.
Those who say, "I know him," but do not keep his commandments
are liars, and the truth is not in them.
But whoever keeps his word,
the love of God is truly perfected in him.

Gospel Lk 24:35-48

The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way,
and how Jesus was made known to them 
in the breaking of bread.

While they were still speaking about this,
he stood in their midst and said to them,
"Peace be with you."
But they were startled and terrified
and thought that they were seeing a ghost.
Then he said to them, "Why are you troubled?
And why do questions arise in your hearts?
Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.
Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones
as you can see I have."
And as he said this,
he showed them his hands and his feet.
While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed,
he asked them, "Have you anything here to eat?"
They gave him a piece of baked fish; 
he took it and ate it in front of them.

He said to them,
"These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you,
that everything written about me in the law of Moses
and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled."
Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
And he said to them,
"Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer
and rise from the dead on the third day
and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins,
would be preached in his name
to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
You are witnesses of these things."

Scripture Study

Happy Easter! Yes, it is still time to celebrate Easter. The Easter Season does not end until Pentecost. The readings continue to deal with our relationship to the Risen Jesus. With the hearers of Peter's sermon in Acts, I must ask myself, how does the Easter proclamation of the resurrection affect me? Does it move me to conversion? John's insistence on living my faith causes me to ask: Do I walk with Jesus in my life or have I turned faith into an intellectual exercise? In the Gospel I am asked to reflect: to what extent do I allow Jesus to open my mind to the truth of the scriptures?

NOTES on First Reading:

* 3:13 The portion in italics was added by the Lectionary to indicate who is speaking.

* 3:13-16 These verses present the basic Easter kerygma, or proclamation of the faith. It is unusual in that the exaltation is taken up first before the passion and death for our sins. This is so that the miracle can be taken up directly and used in counter arguments. 

* 3:16 This verse is not included in the reading as is indicated by the brackets.

* 3:13 In the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, God reversed the judgment against Jesus that the world had rendered on the occasion of his trial. The Greek word for servant that is used here can also be rendered as "son" or even "child" here and also in Acts 3:26; 4:25 (where it is applied to David); Acts 4:27; and Acts 4:30. Scholars are generally of the opinion, however, that the original concept reflected in the words identified Jesus with the suffering Servant of the Lord of Isaiah 52:13- 53:12. Use of the servant and leader titles brings to mind the language of Exodus in speaking of Moses. This sets up Moses as a type for Jesus and leads into the Mosaic Christology of the conclusion of this sermon.

* 3:14 "Holy and Righteous One," as a designation for Jesus, emphasizes His special relationship to the Father (see Luke 1:35; 4:34) as well as His sinlessness and religious dignity that are placed in contrast with the guilt of those who rejected Him in favor of Barabbas. Even the name, "Barabbas" which means "Son of the Father," points to the contrast between he who was chosen and the true Son of the Father who was rejected by His people.

This verse uses ancient messianic titles that serve to emphasize the rhetoric of contrast between what God and what Man has brought about. 

* 3:15 Alternate translations of the Greek title given here as "author of life" are "leader of life" or "pioneer of life." The intent of the title is clearly to point to Jesus as the source and originator of salvation. 

* 3:16 Peter ascribes the miracle to the Name and power of the Risen Jesus, Himself. 

* 3:17-19 Ignorance is a strong Lucan motif, that explains away the actions not only of the people but also of their leaders in crucifying Jesus. It is on this basis that 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. They would appeal to their lack of unawareness of His messianic dignity. See Acts 13:27 and Luke 23:34. Now, however, the Apostolic kerygma brings an end to ignorance and puts the hearers who believe in touch with the saving power of Jesus. The result is seen in a positive response to the call to repent in verse 19. 

* 3:18 The early Christians saw the crucifixion and death of Jesus as the main message of messianic prophecy. The Jews themselves had not anticipated a suffering Messiah. Rather, they generally understood the Servant Song in Isaiah 52:13-53:12 as signifying their own suffering as a people. As is typical (see Luke 18:31; 24:25,27,44) of him, Luke does not specify the particular Old Testament prophecies that were fulfilled by Jesus. In fact, Luke is the only New Testament writer to speak explicitly of a suffering Messiah (Luke 24:26,46; Acts 3:18; 17:3; 26:23). The idea of a suffering Messiah is not found in the Old Testament or in other Jewish literature prior to the New Testament period. The idea is hinted at in Mark 8:31-33.

NOTES on Second Reading:

* 2:1 John's use of the term," Children," is an expression of pastoral love (see John 13:33; 21:5; 1 Cor 4:14). Forgiveness of sin is assured through Christ's intercession and expiation or "offering." These are technical terms emphasizing that the death of Christ brought about the removal of our sin which had blocked our encounter with God and His grace. 

* 2:3-11 This section is built around three improper claims (2, 6, 9) which are each corrected (4-5, 6, 9) in turn by the addition of an ethical dimension. 

* 2:3-6 Here John is insisting that mere intellectual knowledge is insufficient without 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. Disparity between one's moral life and the commandments proves improper belief.

NOTES on Gospel:

* 24:36-43,44-49 Luke, like the other Gospel writers (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:14-15; John 20:19-23), focuses on an important appearance of Jesus to "the Twelve," now the Eleven, in which they are commissioned for their future ministry. 

* 24:36 The greeting of "Peace" is well attested and is probably authentic. 

* 24:39-42 One purpose of this story is evident in the concern with the physical details and the report that Jesus ate food. It is all there to demonstrate that Jesus was really alive and present with them. 

* 24: 42-43 Based upon the usage of 2 Kings 11:13; Luke 13:26 and Acts 27:35; 1:4 and 10:41, the phrase, "in front of them," might be better translated as "at their table." Here the victory over death is symbolized by Jesus' renewal of table fellowship with His disciples. This theme seems to predominate even over the theme of an apologetic insistence on the reality of Jesus' bodily presence. 

* 24:45 Luke's theme of revelation continues with the opening of more eyes and minds. 

* 24:46 Luke is the only New Testament writer who speaks explicitly of a suffering Messiah (Luke 24:26,46; Acts 3:18; 17:3; 26:23). The idea of a suffering Messiah is not found in the Old Testament or in other Jewish literature prior to the New Testament period, although the idea is hinted at in Mark 8:31-33. 

* 24:47 Jesus is the Messiah for all the world and therefore must be proclaimed in all the world. Thus Luke's theme of universal salvation will go out to all the world.

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Meditation: "Jesus opened their minds to understand the scriptures"

Aren't we like the apostles? We wont believe unless we can see with our own eyes. The gospels attest to the reality of the resurrection. Jesus goes to great lengths to assure his disciples that he is no mere ghost or illusion. He shows them the marks of his crucifixion and he explains how the scriptures foretold his death and rising. Jerome, an early church bible scholar, comments: "As he showed them real hands and a real side, he really ate with his disciples; really walked with Cleophas; conversed with men with a real tongue; really reclined at supper; with real hands took bread, blessed and broke it, and was offering it to them. ..Do not put the power of the Lord on the level with the tricks of magicians, so that he may appear to have been what he was not, and may be thought to have eaten without teeth, walked without feet, broken bread without hands, spoken without a tongue, and showed a side which had no ribs." (From a letter to Pammachius against John of Jerusalem34, 5th century)
The centrality of the gospel is the cross; but fortunately it does not stop there. Through the cross Jesus defeated our enemies – death and Satan and won pardon for our sins. His cross is the door to heaven and the key to paradise. The way to glory is through the cross. When the disciples saw the risen Lord they disbelieved for joy! How can death lead to life, the cross to victory? Jesus shows us the way and he gives us the power to overcome sin and despair, and everything else that would stand in the way of his love and truth. Just as the first disciples were commissioned to bring the good news of salvation to all the nations, so, we, too, are called to be witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus Christ to all who live on the face of the earth. Do you witness the joy of the gospel to those around you?
"Lord Jesus, open our minds to understand the scriptures that we may fully comprehend the truth of your word. Anoint us with your power and give us boldness to proclaim the gospel in word and deed."

(Don Schwager)

Lord, let your face shine on us

The gospel reading today insists on the reality of the risen humanity of Our Lord.
Our faith does not rest on fables, nor is the risen Jesus a phantom. Graciously, to strengthen their faith, to bring them peace, and to give them great joy, Jesus shows his followers his now glorious sacred wounds. And we, who inherit that faith and peace and joy, pray, ‘Lord, let your face shine on us’ (psalm response)—for the Father’s glory is reflected in the face of his Christ. ‘Look towards him and be radiant’, the psalmist urges us. 

Jesus’ first words to his apostles were, ‘Peace be with you’. He is the God of peace and he himself is our peace, and he was once again with them. As he speaks, there falls a great calm—be it upon the troubled sea or the troubled human spirit. To have his peace we need to reject all anxiety, casting all our care upon him. And what we long for for ourselves we pray for for others—that the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard their hearts and their thoughts in Christ.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY


YOU ARE NOT ALONE
This was the theme of the following letter written by a parent in response to the above letter from 'a microscopic minority' at the College.

Dear Father Gleeson,

The letter you quote from a parent about the asylum seekers issue saddens me, as the parent believes that in voicing support for a more humanitarian response to asylum seekers he is part of 'a microscopic minority' at the College. He is not so alone as he imagines. We all share the shame that he perceives this to be the case. Hence my email, voicing support for a change of heart befitting a civilised nation, a much needed change, as signalled by yesterday's High Court decision. Jesuits engage with 'hot potatoes' and - this is our blessing - encourage our sons to do likewise. To be alive is to be political, unless one is mute. To be mute where we enjoy such freedom of speech is, I suggest, both irresponsible and un-Catholic.

Thank you for the holistic education you provide to our sons.


 
From A Canopy of Stars: Some Reflections for the Journey by Fr Christopher Gleeson SJ [David Lovell Publishing 2003]

(Daily Prayer Online)

MINUTE MEDITATIONS 

God’s Grace in Action
You have to understand that everything that we have, everything that we are, everything that we do—it all hinges on God’s grace. We need to be mindful of it first of all, and then we need to be thankful.
— from Marriage 911

St. Abdiesus

Feastday: April 22

Died: 342

Also called Hebed Jesus, a deacon in the Christiancommunity of Persia who was caught up in the persecutions conducted by King Shapur II. Records indicate that Abdiesus was accompanied in his martyrdom by Abrosimus, Acepsimus, Azadanes, Azades, Bicor, Mareas, Milles, and a women named Tarbula. Some were Persian courtiers, others priests and bishops. Tarbula was the sister of St. Simeon, and suffered a particularly cruel death by sawing.

St. Tarbula

Feastday: April 22

Died: 345

Virgin and martyr, also listed as:, Tarba or Tarbo. The sister of St. Simeon, the Persiar" bishop and martyr, she was consecrated a virgin and met her own martyrdom soon after the death of he"' brother. Accused of practicing witchcraftand of causing sickness to befall the wife of the ardently anti-Christian Persian king Shapur, she was condemned and executed by being sawed in half.

Bl. Maria Gabriella Sagheddu

Feastday: April 22
Patron of Ecumenism
1914 - 1939
Beatified By: 25 January 1983, Basilica of St. Paul outside the Walls, Rome, Italy by John Paul II

Blessed Sister Maria Gabriella Sagheddu was a Trappist nun. She was born in Sardinia in 1914 and died of tuberculosis in the Trappist monastery of Grottaferrata in 1939. Because of her spiritual devotion to Christian unity, she was beatified by pope John Paul II in 1983.

 Tomb of Sr. Maria Gabriella in the "Chapel of Unity" at the Trappist Monastery of Our Lady of St.Joseph

at Vitorchiano, near Viterbo, Italy.