Posted: 4/18/2015 4:29:25 AM EDT
(Supper at Emmaus, Caravaggio, 1602) Third Sunday of Easter 19 APRIL 2015 Lectionary: 47 
(St. Peter Preaching in the Presence of St. Mark, Fra Angelico, 1433) First Reading 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. Lord, let your face shine on us. 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. Know that the LORD does wonders for his faithful one; the LORD will hear me when I call upon him. 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. 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. 
Second Reading 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. Alleluia LK 24:32 R. Alleluia, alleluia. Lord Jesus, open the Scriptures to us; make our hearts burn while you speak to us. R. Alleluia, alleluia. 
(The Light of Christ, Arnold Friberg, 2005) The Holy 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.” Overview of the Gospel: *This Sunday’s reading takes place on Easter Sunday. Jesus has already appeared to the women at the tomb (Luke 24:1-12), to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (verses 13-35), and to Simon Peter (verse 34). He will make final appearances to the disciples in Jerusalem (Luke 24:36-43), when he gives the disciples final instructions (Luke 24:44-49), and at the ascension (Luke 24:50-53). In fact, in Luke’s gospel, all the resurrection appearances take place in and around Jerusalem; moreover, they are all recounted as having taken place on Easter Sunday. *Jesus appears to the disciples, presumably in the Upper Room where they often gathered. Jesus’ resurrected body is still physical but no longer earthly, having special qualities: it is incorruptible, it can pass through locked doors (John 20:19), it can vanish at will (Luke 24:31), and it is no longer subject to the limitations of time, space, or the laws of nature (CCC 646, 659). By this we have an indication of the type of bodies we will have at our own resurrections. *Jesus accomplishes three things in this appearance: he establishes the reality of his resurrection from the dead; he gives his disciples insight and power to understand his mission in the light of the Old Testament prophecies; and he tasks them with spreading his message, not only to their own people, but to the entire world. Questions: +In the 1st Reading, St. Peter tells his listeners at the first Christian Pentecost a number of things they were already aware of. What one piece of good news did he give them that would shock them and change their lives (see verse 15)? What difference does this make in your life? +In the 2nd Reading, what does St. John tell us is the key to authentically knowing Jesus? Is it head knowledge? Is it an intellectual assent of faith? What is it? +In the Gospel Reading, what event is being referred to in verse 35? +Why are the disciples having so much trouble believing? Why was it necessary for them to see that Jesus was not a ghost? What evidence given by Jesus helps them to believe? +What task does Jesus give the disciples (verse 47-48; Matthew 28:19-20)? With what promise? How must they have felt about this? +Why is it important to you that Jesus’ mission was anticipated clearly in the Old Testament? What difference does Jesus’ Resurrection make? +Where is the mission field Jesus has sent you? Who are some of the people you can witness to by your life? By your words? How do or have you responded to Jesus’ mission for you? (courtesy of Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics) Bible Study--3rd Sunday of Easter--Cycle B (courtesy of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Picayune, MS--Faith Studies) 
"Every Christian should make Christ present among men. He ought to act in such a way that those who know Him sense `the aroma of Christ.' Men should be able to recognize the Master in His disciples." --St Josemaria Escriva |
 "Why are you troubled?" Jesus knows us so well. This is for all those times Jesus knew we would still be wandering in the desert. He knew we would be frightened by the power of His Resurrection... He knows we will abandon the empty tomb and hide and when are surrounded by enemies. In order for a human brain to believe Jesus had to gently appear to the twelve 10 times that are accounted for in the bible. But we know that there were many more supernatural signs. Believe in the Holy Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. It's our chance to meet HIM! |
