Understanding the Word

By Br. John R. Barker, OFM

The first reading, which features one of several kerygma-based  speeches in Acts, follows the healing of a lame man by Peter and  John, to the astonishment of onlookers. Peter responds by asking  the crowd why they are so amazed, as if Peter and John themselves  had performed the cure. No, he says, it was by faith in the name  of Jesus that the man was healed. The healing, then, is proof of  the truth of the proclamation Peter makes about Jesus. Peter also  pointedly remarks that, although the people and their leaders acted  out of ignorance in crucifying Jesus, they can no longer claim such  ignorance. Just as Jesus announced the reign of God and called for  repentance, so now Peter announces the Good News of Christ and  calls for repentance. 

The First Letter of John begins with an exhortation to accept the  message that “God is light” and that only those who walk in the  light have fellowship with God (1:5–6). To walk in the light means  to turn away from sin and accept God’s forgiveness in Christ. Only  those who fail to recognize their need for forgiveness can block  this gracious action of God; all others can be assured not only of  forgiveness, but that they have Jesus as their Advocate. There can  be no greater assurance of being in fellowship with God. John  emphasizes that living in fellowship with Christ is above all a practical  matter. “Knowing” Christ means obeying his commandments, and  obedience to Christ is the royal road to love of God.

Immediately before the present Gospel account, the disciples who  encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus returned to Jerusalem to  tell their story to the Eleven (24:33). Now Jesus suddenly appears  in their midst, greeting them with peace. Their terror at seeing what  they think is a ghost reflects doubt in the possibility that Jesus has  indeed been raised from the dead, hence his invitation to “touch me  and see,” and the pointed statement that he ate, something ghosts  do not do. The Gospel accounts agree that Jesus’ resurrection was  physical, although they are equally clear that his is a transformed  physicality. Now that Jesus’ work on earth has been done, it is time  for his followers to preach both repentance and forgiveness, not just  to Israel, but to “all the nations.” 

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