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Easter Saturday (2)

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The chief priests and elders in today’s First Reading have no more cards to play. A crippled man had been healed in Jesus’ name, and two uneducated men, Peter and John, were proclaiming the Gospel and converting thousands. The saddest thing is that the priests and elders still think they have some cards to play: they think just on their moral and religious authority they can forbid Peter and John from preaching in Jesus’ name (an expression that also refers to Jesus’ authority), but, in addition to not really having any authority anymore, Peter does not recognize it, because he has received his authority from the Son of God, who has proven his credentials by rising from the dead.

The priests and elders do not realize it, but they’re looking at their replacements. The end of today’s Gospel narrates Jesus commanding the Apostles to go out into the whole world and preach the Gospel. The priests and elders cannot countermand that, even though they try. The Apostles are now entrusted with caring for and teaching the People of God, not the priests and elders, who have lost credibility and can’t try covering things up anymore using their authority and their scheming. Their threats are now empty.

Today as disciples we have to face secular authorities or authorities of other religions who try to make us obey them instead of God. Let’s ask for the grace and eloquence of the apostles, always putting obedience to Christ in first place and giving witness to our faith.

Readings: Acts 4:13–21; Psalm 118:1, 14–15b, 16–21; Mark 16:9–15. See also Easter Saturday.

Easter Friday (2)

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The transformation of Peter in today’s First Reading is amazing if you consider that he is now being questioned by the same people who put Christ to death. He had performed a great sign in public, and the religious authorities treated him exactly as they had Our Lord. We can only imagine what would have happened if he’d healed the crippled man on the Sabbath. What is the source of Peter’s transformation? He’s gone from being intimidated by a servant girl to standing before the Sanhedrin and telling them their own guilt for having crucified Our Lord.

Peter is not concentrating on condemning the Sanhedrin, but showing them that their scheming was useless in thwarting God’s plan. He was an eye witness to everything inflicted on Our Lord, but also to Our Lord Risen and alive. He knows the only true salvation comes from Our Lord, “nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.” When you’re not afraid of death, what more is there to fear? Peter’s strength comes from the certainty that Our Lord has conquered death.

Peter not only drew boldness from his faith in the Risen Lord. He was also full of the Holy Spirit. Even when our convictions start to fail us, the Holy Spirit is willing to strengthen us in times of trial. If the Risen Lord is not much of a motivation for you this Easter season, ask the Holy Spirit to help you reclaim the boldness of being a believer. You may not convert five thousand as Peter did, but you will bring people closer to God through his Son.

Readings: Acts 4:1–12; Psalm 118:1–2, 4, 22–27a; John 21:1–14. See also Easter Friday.

Easter Thursday (2)

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In today’s Gospel Our Lord tells the disciples that starting from Jerusalem they would be witnesses that repentance would be preached, for the forgiveness of sins, and this preaching would then extend to all the nations. Peter in today’s First Reading takes up this thread as the Jews gathered in the Temple are still astonished by the healing of the man crippled from birth. Peter starts preaching in Jerusalem, but he tells the Israelites that this preaching is meant to become a blessing for all.

Peter speaks to his audience in a language they understand: Biblical tradition and fulfillment. He shows them that the God of their fathers, the patriarchs, raised Jesus from the dead after they’d put him to death out of ignorance. The healing of the crippled man in Jesus’ name was a sign of this. Moses in the book of Deuteronomy, quoted by Peter (Deuteronomy 18:15–16), had promised them a prophet would come who was indispensable for remaining a part of the People of God and would be like Moses himself. That prophet was Jesus. Peter tells them all the prophets had announced what was taking place. Therefore this was an essential moment of fulfillment for the people of Israel: through this moment the people of Israel will fulfill their purpose, a purpose mentioned to Abraham that through them all families of the earth would be blessed (see Genesis 12:3). Peter encourages them to repent of what they’d done to Jesus and to believe in him.

In each believer preaching repentance for the forgiveness of sins starts with us: we have repented and received this forgiveness, we have believed in Jesus after letting him be handed over. Like the first disciples we must proclaim the good news as well so that every nation will be blessed. The good news has reached us; let’s help it reach others.

Readings: Acts 3:11–26; Psalm 8:2ab, 5–9; Luke 24:35–48. See also Easter Thursday and 3rd Sunday of Easter.

Easter Wednesday (2)

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Today’s readings remind us that the Risen Lord does not just exceed our expectations; he transforms them. The crippled man in today’s First Reading was just expecting another handout from Peter and John, another moment in a lifetime of begging. In Jesus’ name he receives something that transforms his life: the ability to walk after being crippled from birth. He expected God to be good to him, but not to give him a new life. He knows where credit is due: as he enters the Temple area for everyone to see he praises God, and the very fact that he was walking astounds the people who knew him before.

The disciples on the way to Emmaus in today’s Gospel expected Our Lord to be more than a prophet, but apparently he didn’t meet their expectations. Did they ever believe him to be the Christ? It is hard to know, but now with the news of his death he seems to have been just one more prophet killed for being God’s witness. When Our Lord teaches them their foolishness he makes it clear from the beginning, even though they didn’t recognize him, that he was the Christ. When they finally recognize that he is not dead, but alive, and that he is not just another prophet, but the Christ of whom the prophets foretold, a Christ who was able to conquer death itself, they are changed from dejected people walking home into disciples running to Jerusalem to share the news.

What are your expectations for the Risen Lord this Easter season? He can transform a crippled life or a dejected one into a life filled with energy, hope, joy, and purpose. Place your trust in him and the results will astound you too.

Readings: Acts 3:1–10; Psalm 105:1–9; Luke 24:13–35. See also Easter Sunday, Mass During the Day (2) and Easter Wednesday.

Easter Tuesday (2)

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Today’s readings remind us that it is the Risen Christ who helps us bridge the gap between perdition and redemption, between despair and hope. In the First Reading Peter helps his listeners realize that their sins and failings had consequences: their sins had led Christ to be crucified. However, if Christ shows them their guilt, he also presents the path to their redemption: through Baptism Christ would lead them from perdition to redemption. In a special way this week the Church prays for her new members who received the sacraments of initiation last Saturday, including Baptism, just as the repentant listeners did today, and have passed from perdition to redemption.

Mary Magdelene had already been brought from perdition to redemption, but now, with her Lord missing and no way to find him or pay him one last gesture of devotion, she is in despair. Even holy souls, when they lose sight of God, run the risk of falling into despair. It is in that moment of despair that the Risen Lord comes to meet them and put them on the path of hope again. Hearing Our Lord’s voice brought Mary back from the brink of despair.

What’s in your heart today? A feeling of perdition regarding how your life is going? A feeling of despair about some trial you’re undergoing? Ask the Risen Lord to come to you and help you bridge the gap.

Readings: Acts 2:36–41; Psalm 33:4–5, 18–20, 22; John 20:11–18. See also Easter Tuesday.