SUNDAY, THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTERTIDE
Acts 2: 14, 22-33 Ps 16: 1-2, 5, 7-11 1 Pt 1: 17-21 Lk 24:13-35
WASHED, RENEWED AND SENT
The Eucharist, the Holy Mass is the source and summit of Christian life (SC14). The celebration of the Eucharist consists mainly of two sections, one leading to and culminating in the other. The table of the Word and the table of the Eucharist are so closely interconnected, they are focused on facilitating a profound divine experience. In fact, the final book among those in the Bible, the Book of Revelation which is also known as Apocalypse, is a summary and explanation of the climax of the ages, a process culminating in the restoration of the entire creation. In this account of the restoration, God dwells with humanity. His reign ends sin and division and it is a celebration of the victory of good over evil.
Even though today’s liturgy is known mainly for the deeply powerful Emmaus episode, there is another important person – St Peter whom we encounter in the narrative. The man who publicly denied knowing Christ, before a crowd today is a changed and renewed person. He is seen today, as boldly proclaiming that it is only in the crucified Lord that humanity finds its redemption and salvation. He declares boldly that the resurrection and Lordship of Jesus is the essence of Evangelization. On that night when Jesus ate his final meal with His disciples in the Upper Room, where Jesus washed the disciples feet, Jesus had to rebuke Peter “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me” (Jn 13:8). Peter loved Jesus, but he tried to sustain his love and trust with his own will, personality, power, and through his own emotions; he sought control and desired things to go as per his plans. But as we heard in today’s readings, Peter is changed and empowered by the Holy Spirit and declares that it is only in Jesus, that humanity receives its redemption and salvation. This is the essence and the crux of the good news of salvation.
The Greek word “Euangelion”- (“eu” good, “angelos” message/ messenger) for Christians is the presence of God in the world, in the person of Jesus Christ. Even before the formal structures and organization evolved, the Holy Spirit united the believers to Jesus Christ and continues to this day to guide the work of evangelization in the world. Crucifix was offered as a punishment to those who were considered to be an unavoidable threat to the Roman political system. Peter and his companions declare their allegiance to a new Ruler, the Risen Christ and deliberately risks much! Euangelion, the Good News for Peter is a profound conviction that it is only through Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life, that humanity receives its salvation. Just as the two disciples rush to tell the eleven apostles the good news: “The Lord had indeed risen.” we too ought to find inspiration to proclaim the simple yet profound Good News: Jesus of Nazareth who was put to death is the Way through which the world God!
“Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us…”? (Lk 24:32). This means that only God can reveal the truth completely. Only then fired up with this new knowledge, we too can go out to proclaim the good news. So, for us too, the belief in the Risen Christ is nothing but a life in the Risen Lord through the Spirit, in whom “…we live and move and have our being.’ We are made clean and acceptable to God through the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect… so our faith and hope are in God (Cf. 1 Peter 1:19-21).
When we celebrate the Eucharist, we are invited to ask for cleansing just like those two disciples who were cleansed by the Lord at the dinner table. We often forget that it is the Lord who mercifully and lovingly approach our hearts, not to condemn of criticise us, but to give us his love, give himself to us in His warm embrace. He wishes to kindle his fire in our hearts. When we are relaxed, calm, unhurried, our relationships, friendship and intimacy with the Lord and our own brothers and sisters are strengthened. The table is a regular place, perhaps this represents the way Jesus wants people to know Him: on a basic, regular, ordinary, everyday level which is truly practical and authentic. Though it may be in an ordinary common manner in which we experience His divine love, he never fails to capture our hearts in his pure light – the very fire that purifies and cleanses the souls that reach out to him. The more we are cleansed, the more we are capable of experiencing Christ present and living in the Eucharist and allow Jesus to manifest his power and love in us. When that happens, He begins to shine through us to others in whom His heart delights.
Response: Lord, you will show me the path of life.
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