Homily Third Sunday of Easter Year A He is Risen
Homily:
Third Sunday of Easter Year A
Reading
1: What is the context of this reading? Pentecost has occurred. Filled with the
Holy Spirit, Peter preaches his first sermon. The focus is Jesus Christ. Who is
he? He was a man sent by God in the power of the Holy Spirit with signs and
wonders as his credentials. Jesus revealed God’s plan of salvation and life.
But the people rejected him and had him crucified.
But
the good news is Jesus is risen and exalted at the right hand of the Father. He
promised to pour out his Holy Spirit to continue the world of God. Peter
proclaims that he the others are witnesses of his signs, teachings, his death,
his risen life, his ascension and the coming of the Spirit. The culmination of
Peter’s first sermon was proclaiming Jesus as both Lord and Messiah.
As
a result of Peter’s compelling words, something happened in the hearers. His message
was simple and straightforward. But it spoke the truth into the hearts of those
who saw the power of the Holy Spirit and this truth set them free. They wanted
to experience what made a difference in the lives of the Apostles. When asked
what they must do, Peter answered with a simple process: repent of your sins,
believe in Jesus and receive the baptism that will set you free, and desire the
gift of the Spirit in your lives. Three thousand responded immediately. They
encountered the risen Lord and the Holy Spirit in the proclamation of Peter.
Gospel:
Encountering the risen Lord was essential to the Easter message. But this
encounter must be open to Jesus in the present moment. The two disciples were
still living with their encounter with Jesus prior to his death. Like them, how
many of us find ourselves disappointed or disillusion because our encounter
with Jesus is based on a past experience, not the present reality.
For
them to have a new encounter Jesus breaks open the word of God, showing how the
Son of Man was to suffer, die and rise again. They encountered the present
Jesus in the Scriptures. “Were not our hearts burning within us as he explained
the scriptures?” But the scriptures were not enough alone. It was in the
breaking of the bread that their eyes of faith were opened to the present
reality of Jesus, the risen Savior. This new encounter compelled them to go
back to Jerusalem with new joy and conviction to witness their recent
experience to the Eleven.
Is
our life based on a past encounter or is it open with anticipation to a new,
present encounter with Jesus? Today, did we hear the scriptures with an
indifferent attitude even a distracted one, or did we come with expectation to
encounter the Lord, as he is present to us in a fresh new way in his word? Will
our eyes of faith be opened to the presence of the Lord in the breaking of the
bread? When we leave, will we witness what we experienced to others?
If
not, why not? Is it because we were not expecting or rather we are still living
on a past encounter, like trying to survive on bread and water, when there is a
sumptuous banquet ready for us?
Reading
2: Paul reminds us of the central message of Jesus. We have been ransomed from
our life of sin by the precious blood of Christ, who as an innocent Lamb, was
sacrificed on the cross for our sakes. He was raised from the dead and is
forever glorified. Because of him and what he did, we believe and hope in God.
But
this is not enough. We must conduct our lives in a way that reflects our
acceptance and embracing of the new life God has given us in baptism and
confirmation. Because we believe, that faith and hope is to be lived out in deeds.
We know that God is an impartial judge, who will judge us accordingly. He knows
our heart.
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