Texts of the Readings
April 30,
2006
Third
Sunday of Easter (B)
Terrance Callan
Acts 3:13-15, 17-19
X
1 John 2:1-5 X
Luke 24:35-46
Often we find ourselves completely unable to solve a problem
or understand a situation. If we then arrive at a solution somehow, we may
feel as if the sun has broken through the clouds on a dark day. The death
and resurrection of Jesus unlocked the meaning of the Old Testament in this
way.
The reading from the gospel according to Luke describes an
appearance of Jesus to his disciples after his death and resurrection.
After assuring them that he was not a ghost, Jesus told his disciples that
his death and resurrection had been predicted in scripture: Thus it is
written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third
day. Similarly Peter, in the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, tells
the people that God had announced beforehand through the mouth of all the
prophets, that his Christ would suffer.
This is now so familiar to us that we take it for granted. To
us it seems obvious that scripture predicted the death and resurrection of
Jesus. However, in fact it is not obvious. Non-Christian readers of the
bible can easily fail to see such predictions entirely. This makes us
realize that our understanding of scripture is based on our faith in Jesus,
which in turn is based on his resurrection. Those who do not believe will
not understand scripture in the same way we do. Nor should we expect them
to do so. The illumination of faith is fundamental. As the reading from
the gospel of Luke says, it was only after his resurrection that Jesus,
opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
The readings tell us that the purpose of Jesus death and
resurrection was to save us from sins. In the reading from Luke Jesus says
that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name
to all the nations. And the reading from Acts presents Peter as carrying
out this commission. Peter says to the people, Repent, therefore, and be
converted, that your sins may be wiped away. The death and resurrection of
Jesus offers an opportunity for forgiveness of our sins. In order to accept
this opportunity we must change our lives and believe in Jesus.
Neither the reading from Luke nor the reading from Acts explains
how Jesus death and resurrection frees us from sins. The reading from the
first letter of John provides an explanation when it refers to Jesus as
expiation for our sins. This presupposes that the death of Jesus was a
sacrifice, like the sacrifices prescribed in the Old Testament (see for
example Numbers 5:8). The sacrifice of Jesus makes up for sins, and so
offers an opportunity for forgiveness.
The readings from Luke and Acts speak of the death and
resurrection of Jesus as an opportunity for forgiveness of sins for those
who first believe in Jesus. Becoming a follower of Jesus means putting
ones sins in the past and beginning a new life. The reading from the first
letter of John takes up the question of sins committed by those who are
already believers. The reading says that if anyone does sin, we have an
Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one. The death and
resurrection of Jesus can free us from sin not only when we first become
believers, but also when we sin after becoming followers of Jesus. This
forgiveness is available in a special way in the sacrament of
Reconciliation.
©Terrance
Callan
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