Third Sunday of Easter: (Acts 3:13-15, 17-19) “Do You See What I See?”
Third Sunday of Easter: (Acts 3:13-15, 17-19) “Do You See What I See?”
During the past week we had an event that happens infrequently in our world. We had a solar eclipse. There was a great deal of excitement about this. Some people got in their cars to travel a long distance so they could be in the direct path of the moon’s shadow passing over the earth. Others followed the events through the media.
We could say that this follows a pattern. Whenever there is something historic that happens, we have two ways of finding out about it. We can have a direct experience of the event. We can see it for ourselves. And then we can hear about it second hand from other people who were there.
Perhaps we have talked to people who did see the eclipse. Someone let me borrow a pair of safety glasses when the eclipse first started. Since I wasn’t in the direct path of the eclipse it wasn’t as impressive. Only a slice of the sun was covered up in our area. I was out in the woods when the eclipse happened because I was told that nature would react to the eclipse happening. As I took a brief walk through the forest there was a palpable silence when the eclipse was going on. The birds stopped singing for a while. The sun was out but things seemed a little dim. The wind died down. The earth seemed to go to sleep for a few minutes.
I followed descriptions of the eclipse on the radio as I was driving home from the woods. People were gathered in various places from a football stadium in Texas to a park in Maine. People struggled to explain what they experienced. Some were very excited. Others were more analytical. You could tell a lot about a person’s personality as they described what they were seeing.
During these weeks of Easter, we hear about the Resurrection of the Lord. We have two types of accounts in scripture about the resurrection. The Gospel today begins by describing how two disciples who were on the road to Emmaus had a direct encounter with the risen Lord. After they share their story Jesus appears to all the disciples in the upper room. The Apostles interact with the risen Lord. The disciples see firsthand and believe.
Another type of resurrection account is shared in the Acts of the Apostles. Peter gives a speech which outlines why the resurrection of Jesus should be believed. What we don’t hear is what precipitates his speech. Right before this speech Peter heals a paralytic in the name of Jesus. After that he gives his testimony. Peter argues that Jesus is alive by what he does as well as what he says. Peter also gives witness by being courageous. He knows as he speaks that the temple police are ready to take him into custody. But Peter doesn’t stop talking. He isn’t careful. He says everything that he wants to say about Jesus.
The question we can ask is what does this have to do with us? We can’t claim that we were there during those first days after Jesus’ resurrection. We weren’t in the upper room. We didn’t walk down the road with the Lord. All we have are the eyewitness accounts of the Apostles that are passed down to us. We do know something significant happened because people like Peter changed. Suddenly the Apostles found their voice. After that they went out to organize the church. How did they become so confident?
Somehow, they came to realize they weren’t alone. The work of spreading the Gospel didn’t depend on their abilities. No, they were just conduits of a higher power, a power that had been turned loose on the earth. The Apostles began to believe that they had the energy of Jesus at their disposal. Peter, in a moment of inspiration, looked down at a man who couldn’t walk. He knew in his heart Jesus lived. He said the audacious words, “Stand up and walk.” And it happened.
What might we do if we had that same boldness. The message of the Easter season is this. We can trust in the risen Jesus. We can do many of things that Jesus did, but we can do little if we don’t take a risk. If we take a gamble and seek to heal our broken world by helping the poor, instructing the ignorant, visiting the sick, being a peacemaker or imitating Jesus in other ways, we may experience the power of the resurrected Lord firsthand. We may see Jesus change a life through us. If that happens then we need to share the story so that the world might believe that Jesus is alive and well right here, right now.
Reflection Questions:
Have I ever seen Jesus in action in my life? When?
2. Do I share my faith readily? What holds people back?
Dear Parishioners,
During the past couple of weeks Seton Catholic School has been registering students for kindergarten and preschool. This is an important time of the year. A healthy enrollment in our Catholic Schools is an important aspect of our local Catholic community.
I often visit our schools and I can see the positive impact that they are having. Many of the leaders in our community went to Catholic Schools. They benefited from solid academics and learned values that have carried them forward in life.
Studies have shown that those who attend Catholic school and colleges are more likely to be involved in government and in charitable works. They learn about helping others through their educational experience. They learn Catholic moral principles which revolve around the belief in the common good and upholding human dignity.
If our Catholic schools fade in the scene, our society will not be better off. Our children need this educational option. Please encourage parents that you know to call Seton Catholic Grade School and Alleman Catholic High School.
May our Lady of Peace pray for us,
Fr. Mark