Through our Lord, we can go from being afraid to being embraced by love
Reflections on the readings for the Third Sunday of Easter (April 15, 2018): ACTS 3:13-15,17-19, PS 4:2,4,7-8,9, 1JN 2:1-5, LK 24:35-48
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
After His Resurrection from the tomb on Easter Sunday, Jesus appeared to His Apostles and other followers over the next few weeks.
He wanted them to reassure them that He was alive. He had suffered and died, but now He lived as truly as they did. He took care to make this clear to those who had known and loved Him. Our Lord revealed the marks the nails had made in His flesh when He was hammered onto the cross. He also joined them for meals just as He had so many times before. “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” (Luke 24:40-43).
Christ was neither illusion nor spirit. One moment His disciples were filled with fear, then He shared His peace and His truth with them and they knew joy. And so it is for all of us who open ourselves to the love of God. If we welcome His grace and obey His will, our Lord will respond with His guidance and mercy now – and with heaven for eternity.
Suggested missionary action: We can continue to think about Easter and the gift of Himself that Christ gave us both on the Cross and in the Eucharist. We can offer thanks by showing His loving-kindness to all around us.
