Posted: 4/22/2009 5:16:09 AM EDT
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Sunday, April 26, 2009
Third Sunday of Easter 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." Reading II 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 35 The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way, and how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of bread. 36 While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." 37 But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 Then he said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? 39 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." 40 And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, "Have you anything here to eat?" 42 They gave him a piece of baked fish; 43 he took it and ate it in front of them. 44 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." 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And he said to them, "Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day 47 and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 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 (vv 13-35), and to Simon Peter (v 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: · 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 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? Catechism of the Catholic Church: 597-598 We cannot lay responsibility for the trial on the Jews in Jerusalem as a whole...All sinners were the authors of Christ's Passion 519, 601 Christ did not live his life for himself but for us, from his Incarnation "for us men and for our salvation" to his death "for our sins" and Resurrection "for our justification". 654 This new life is above all justification that reinstates us in God's grace... 1362-1367 The sacrificial memorial of Christ and of his Body, the Church 1168-1171 Easter is not simply one feast among others, but the "Feast of feasts," the "Solemnity of solemnities,"... |
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· Why is it important to you that Jesus’ mission was anticipated clearly in the Old Testament? What difference does Jesus’ Resurrection make?
For me, when it comes to believing in the Gospel, the OT prophecies are icing on the cake! His Resurrection is hope that we will be raised some day in glory! · 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? Different stages in my life are the mission fields that God has placed me. I was Baptized as a Southern Baptist in 1996, and for 4 years after my baptism I continued to work in a lab at a foundry, and that was a place where I sort of took my baby steps and then took off running and then was called to the ministry. The plant shut down and in 2000 I started working at a YMCA as a trainer, and that was a huge mission field, and I had lots of great times evangelizing, and during that time I got the call to become Catholic. I was offered a job at a school system in the maintenance dept in 2006 and I took it and I also came into the Catholic Church during that time. Since that time I have tried to learn my Faith more and learn how to spread it according to God's will. Right now I feel as if God wants me to focus on internet ministry mainly on a website that I started. I have been blessed enough to work on it with a wonderful devoted Catholic!  I have done lots of different minstries within the last 13 years such as teaching, preaching, door to door evangelizing, chaplin, etc, and right now this fairly new path that God has got me on has been an amazing ride, something that I have poored my heart out on and devoted sooo many hours, but the ministry reaches many people everyday all over the world!
I think the hardest mission field for me right now is at home. I think understand what Jesus meant when He said, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household." Matt. 13:57 |
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· 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?
Hard to tell. I think that simply because I have been blessed by knowing so many strong Catholics, both at school and at home, I have a duty to share that faith with others. I have been taught my whole life by good Catholics and surrounded with wonderful examples because of the community I'm a part of. I think that my call, at least for now, is to be a good example for others. I know that I will be held accountable to a higher standard because more is expected of me. Sometimes I feel like these blessings are wasted on me. Honestly, I just throw them out so much, whereas some people are crying out to have what I have. I almost wish I wasn't blessed with all these people around me to guide and teach me. It means that I should know better when I screw up. I think that my mission is to be a light in the darkness, as others have been for me. I just hope and pray for the grace to do it, because it's close to impossible. |
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Quoted:
· 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? Hard to tell. I think that simply because I have been blessed by knowing so many strong Catholics, both at school and at home, I have a duty to share that faith with others. I have been taught my whole life by good Catholics and surrounded with wonderful examples because of the community I'm a part of. I think that my call, at least for now, is to be a good example for others. I know that I will be held accountable to a higher standard because more is expected of me. Sometimes I feel like these blessings are wasted on me. Honestly, I just throw them out so much, whereas some people are crying out to have what I have. I almost wish I wasn't blessed with all these people around me to guide and teach me. It means that I should know better when I screw up. I think that my mission is to be a light in the darkness, as others have been for me. I just hope and pray for the grace to do it, because it's close to impossible. Well, its kinda like living in America, sometimes we Americans don't realize how well we have it until we see how bad many others have it. It is easy to take the great things we have for granted. But you appear to understand how all that works and seem to have a real good prespective. We still fight against evil powers and it is hard to live the Christian life when we live in a world that promotes so much smut and disgrace. I truly feel the pain for teens these days because so many things are attacking their innocence. But keep your humility as I can tell that you have, but don't beat yourself up too much when you fall short because we have a loving God that is always there just waiting for us to run to Him for forgivness! Don't let the Devil make you think that you are unworthy because God says you are not! |
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Why are the disciples having so much trouble believing?
The disciples did not understand the prophecy, or what Jesus had told them about his resurrection. I would think they were so consumed by their grief and horror of what had happened to Jesus, not to mention fear of the same happening to them, they were also probably not thinking rationally to think through the scriptures and what they'd been told. Why was it necessary for them to see Jesus was not a ghost? If Jesus was just a ghost, then it would really be no big deal - prophecy not fulfilled and no conquering of death. What evidence given by Jesus helps them to believe? He shows them his glorified body, inviting them to touch him and see that he is indeed flesh and blood, then he eats! Now that I can relate to! What task does Jesus give the disciples (verse 47-48; Matthew 28:19-20)? With what promise? How must they have felt about this? They are to preach the good news of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, to pass on what he taught them and make disciples of all nations. He promises that he will always be with them. Wow, what an honor and at the same time a challenge! They must have felt the weight of the world on their shoulders, but who better to back you up than God? ·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? I am pretty shy, so it is still hard for me to evangelize people in person, even though I know I am speaking the Truth. I am trying now to focus on my family and work my way from there. I know exactly how Theodoret feels, though! |