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3rd Sunday Of Easter B

Celebrating 100 years

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Cycle B

B213: Wouldn't you say that the original disciples had an advantage over us, since they actually had Jesus in their presence after the Resurrection (Lk 24:35-48)?

Take a closer look at the description of the setting and the appearance of Jesus in today's gospel story, and what the disciples were doing. First, they were "gathered together" listening to two witnesses describe a Jesus-event that had happened to them (which involved explaining scripture and breaking of the bread). Secondly, they were sharing a meal (they had to be, to offer Jesus something to eat). Third, Jesus appears to them; he is Really Present. Finally, he helps them understand the scriptures by "opening their minds" to the Word.

Now, take a closer look at the description of what happens today at a Sunday (and weekday) celebration of Mass. First, the disciples (parishioners) are "gathered together" listening to Lectors and Clergy who share the community's witness stories (what we call the New Testament, re-telling "Jesus stories" and "old covenant" links) during the Liturgy of the Word - the first part of our Mass. Secondly, we "share a meal" together under the form of bread and wine - the Liturgy of the Eucharist, or second part of the Mass. Third, Jesus is Really Present in this sacramental form, after the prayers of consecration by the validly ordained priest. Finally, our "minds are opened" to understand the scripture stories, God's Word, with the help of the priest or deacon Homilist and the action of the Holy Spirit sent by Jesus.

Since we have received the gift of Faith, we have "new eyes" to see. Therefore the answer to your question is "No" - there is no disadvantage today because all of the same elements that were present 2,000 years ago are present today through the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist.

Know Your Catechism! Do you know the role of the Holy Spirit in this process above? It always leads to outreach, to mission (CCC #1092, 1112). This is everyone's responsibility! Every time you hear or read scripture there is an "ethical demand" placed on your heart to respond.

Sheer Joy

Each year the Irish National Tourist Board invites marching bands from home and abroad to take part in the Dublin St. Patrick's Day parade. The band from Bishop Kearney High School in Rochester accepted in 1982. It was the eighth parade trip to Dublin for the "Marching Kings," and they had won the major Irish awards in 1979. But a win in 1979 did not guarantee a win in 1982. In three years the band membership had changed almost completely, and they were in competition against over eighty international quickstepping units.

Flying to Ireland a bit early, the Kings marched in some smaller parades. At Galway their concert and jazz bands carried off first honors. Judges of the Limerick parade voted them the top school band. These awards were encouraging but second-class. Band Director Ray Shahin would not let his team relax. At Dublin, he warned them he would simply not let them beat themselves.

Well, the big parade took place on March 17 on Dublin's O'Connell Street. Traditional Irish rain mixed with hail didn't make the high stepping any easier. The Marching Kings did their best, but the prize winners were not to be announced until evening. They all went to an official dancing party tired and tense. Finally at 8 PM Mr. Shahin came in with the verdict. Color Guard and Twirlers category, first place: Bishop Kearney. Best overseas band category: Bishop Kearney. And finally over-all best band category: Bishop Kearney. Pandemonium broke loose. The 140 winners sprang to life again, cheering, hugging, weeping. Two days later their schoolmates welcomed them back to Rochester with a banner inscribed "We're walking proud!"

God permits us all occasional moments of unexpected delight. "Pinch me," we say, "I think I'm dreaming." Thrills like these can help us to appreciate the far greater joy of the disciples at Easter. The Jesus whom they had seen hurried off to death stood live again before them.

"They were incredulous for sheer joy and wonder." (Luke 24:41 Today's gospel.)

-Father Robert F. McNamara

Q369: St. Luke seems to harp a lot on "repentance" in the Acts of the Apostles, and also in his Gospel. Why such a continued focus on that subject? 

 Jesus was acutely aware that the Evil One would try to "steal" souls from God and destroy life.  This is why Jesus says that he, Jesus, came to bring new life to his sheep and to have that new life more abundantly (e.g., Jn 10:10).

But there is a barrier to this new life, and that is the personal and community sinfulness that we place between ourselves and God. Peter and the apostles were well aware of this barrier, and thus we hear Peter in today's first reading (Acts 3:13-15, 17-19) calling for repentance and a change in the direction of our lives, to remove this barrier of sin.

It is crucial to realize that we need to deal with this sin before new life can come into our hearts. Unfortunately, our first reading today stops in mid sentence. Listen to the full sentence: "Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…" (v. 19, RSV). That refreshing new life is there, ready and waiting to be delivered by the Author of Life to all who accept it through repentance and by amending lifestyles.

Finally, it you think St. Luke (and all the other evangelists) "harp" on the subject of repentance, it is well to remember that the very first words out of Jesus' mouth in his public ministry were about the urgent need for repentance (Mk 1:15). One wishes that we would hear more of this call to action from our modern day preachers!

KNOW YOUR CATECHISM! To believe in Jesus and his call to repentance first requires a death to selfishness, that obstinate barrier between us and God (CCC #591). Christ cannot be formed in us unless we humble ourselves through the journey called "conversion" (CCC #526). The result of our daily conversion and re-commitment is "new life in Christ."


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