III SUNDAY OF EASTER
CHRIST TESTIFIES TO HIS OWN RESURRECTION
By our Pastor, Fr. Carmelo Jiménez
The readings this Sunday present us with the beginning of the Christian community. We will hear in the Gospel that the Apostles and Disciples were afraid and in the presence of Jesus they still do not come out of their shock and fear. And so, this is how the community started, but trusting that this budding mission was not from them, rather from God himself who had entrusted it to them.
The first reading is part of the story of the miracle performed through Peter and John on behalf of a paralytic. This event shocks the people and gives the occasion to Peter to proclaim his second kerygmatic discourse or a testimony about the Resurrection of Jesus. Peter and John encounter a paralytic and offer what they have: “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, [rise and] walk.” (Acts 3:6) And the miracle happened. This event becomes a very important sign because it proves that Jesus is alive because this wonder had happened in his name. For a Hebrew if he were dead, this could not have happened. And if he is alive then he was raised up, because he did die on the cross. This is the conclusion of those that lived during the time of Jesus.
In the second reading we hear: “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.” (1 Jn 2:1) Certainly the regenerative strength from Him can assure man of the permanence of the new life. That is why Saint John uses a literary form which would be the same as saying: it is difficult that a true member of Jesus would sin, but if the circumstance arises, do not lose hope because Jesus is with the Father interceding for us and defending us. He can do it because he is Just, because he has always pleased the Father and did what was pleasing to Him.
The Gospel passage comes after the encounter of Jesus with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. This scene develops around two fundamental thoughts: the recognition of Jesus as resurrected and the sending forth to the world with their evangelical task. “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.” (Lk 24:38-39a) The believers are faced with a remarkable mystery, the wonder of all wonders of God, which gives a new meaning to all of human history. Every person is invited to participate, in Christ and through Him, in the new offer of life through the Resurrection. It is the answer to the question of every man and of all time: Is there any hope after death? And God responds yes, offering to humanity the full reality of the Resurrected Jesus. It is the Gospel writer Luke who reminds us of the project of the universal mission: The Resurrected and Glorious Christ sends his Apostles to announce the Gospel to all people starting in Jerusalem.
Jesus continues to offer us today his message of life and salvation. The consistency of our life, the imperative of the commandment to love and our commitment in the struggle against sin in the world are necessary conditions to recognize this Christ, victor over death, who walks by our side.
May the message of this Sunday inspire us to distance ourselves from all occasion of sin and to construct parish communities united in God’s love and strengthened by the presence of Christ and the Holy Spirit. May we find in the sacraments the strength to be true witnesses of the resurrection of Christ which gives us hope for eternal life. Amen.