The Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; Psalms 4:2, 4, 7-9; 1 John 2:1-5a; Luke 24:35-48

The post-resurrection appearances of Jesus were a great joy to His apostles and other followers and prepared them for the preaching mission that they would begin after Pentecost. On a portico of the temple, Peter spoke to the people about the times of refreshing that come from the presence of the Lord.

In the Acts of the Apostles, we have several sermons that Peter preached about the messianic mission of Jesus. Peter identified Jesus as the Holy and Righteous One who had suffered death and then was raised from the dead by God. It was through the suffering of Jesus that redemption was extended to all people. Therefore, Peter called them to repent and thus come to times of refreshment in the presence of the Lord. The biblical expression for repentance is to turn again to the Lord and thus focus their lives on His word and His way.

Peter made the point that he and the other disciples were witnesses of the saving events of Jesus' death and resurrection. The word "witness" has an important significance in New Testament theology, for the witnessing of Jesus' followers often led to their deaths. With the Greek word for witness, martyrion, the theological under-standing of martyrdom for their faith came into usage in the Christian community. Jesus' followers often were marginalized in their everyday living situations. Even more, the history of the great persecutions attests to their ultimate sacrifice in dying for what they believed.

The First Letter of John calls believers to be faithful to what they had seen and heard of Jesus' words and works. In our reading, the forgiveness of sins through Jesus is a comforting message for human weakness. Jesus himself is the expiation of the sin of the whole world, and the way to be sure that we know Him is to follow His way of life in the commandments. Love of God is perfected in those who keep His word.

The Gospel reading from Luke brings the same themes together in the context of the Emmaus journey of two of Jesus' disciples.

After they had recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread, they returned to Jerusalem to share the joy of their experience with the 11. At that time, Jesus stood among all of them and settled their questioning by showing them His scars and by eating food they had at hand. Jesus reminded the apostles of His predictions of His passion and opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. It was written that the Christ would suffer, and on the third day, rise from the dead. Repentance and forgiveness of sins were to be preached to all nations by those who were witnesses to all Jesus had done. Joy and wonder filled their hearts.

With the Psalmist, we can praise the Lord who sets the godly apart for himself. The joy he puts in our hearts surpasses all else.

(Sister Lillie is a member of the faculty at the Athenaeum of Ohio in Cincinnati.)