III SUNDAY OF EASTER 24

3RD EASTER SUNDAY, 14 APRIL 2024: ACTS 3. 13-15, 1-19; 1 JOHN 2. 1-5a; LUKE 24.35-48 Focus: Those who touch and see the Lord, will certainly repent, return to God, perfect their love for him and become his witnesses 1. Today's Holy Word of God, and in fact every day's speaks to us clearly about what God does in our lives and what we must do in return. In His merciful love, he becomes propitiation for our sins. He forgives us. He blots away our sins. He advocates on our behalf before the Father. He dispels our fears, clarifies and resolves our doubts and uncertainties. He tranquillizes our troubles. He enlightens our minds to understand and assimilate God's word. He also shares his own self in the Holy Eucharist. He gives us the greatest gifts of peace and joy. That is why, Jesus says, "Peace be with you! Why are your hearts troubled? Why do doubts arise In your minds? Do not be afraid!" 2. If this is what God does for us, so much and everything, then what should we do for him? The answers are very clear in all the three readings: Repent, return to the Lord, avoid and combat sin and evil, trust in the Lord, touch and see him, be healed and clean, receive his peace and joy, and become his witnesses. 3. What God does from his part, and what we must do from our part are quite clear. At this point, what next? First of all, trust him totally. Be open and docile to allow him to work within us, with us and through us. Grow deeply grateful to him for his self-immolating love for us. Repent with profound anguish over failing and betraying his unconditioned mercy that forgives even our repeated sins and multitude of them. 4. This is so deep that it would pierce into the deepest recesses of the heart and cuts it through and through. It is not that usual repentance, that is so shallow and short-lived, that plays merely on emotions but does not make any worthwhile and consistent change in the character and behaviour of the person. 5. Then, Return to him with renewed trust, reinstilled confidence, enlightened clarity, recharged energy, renewed fidelity, and abounding passionate commitment. Further, deepen and foster a personal intimate relationship with the Lord. 6. This is very important, because sadly, in the case of many, God seems to become a useful concept and phenomenon, a shelter and shield in times of need and pressure, and a stop-gap in times of lack of alternatives. It is in such a context, we need to rediscover and recapture the "personal touch" with God. 7. The risen Lord is a God alive and active. He is deeply and personally involved in our lives. He is not to be a God, distant and alienated from us. He does not belong to another realm. He must be an integral part of our life. He must be indispensable in the progress of our life. He must be an inalienable sharer, partner and consultor in our every deliberation, assessment and decision and action. He must be a point of reference in our every vision and mission. 8.  This implies that we personally touch him and see him, and constantly surrender ourselves to be healed of our infirmities and fragilities. Make his presence so tangible and graspable. See and experience him so concretely in the simple details of life. 9. God should be set free from the exclusive and confined chambers of the holy tabernacles, from the spiritual domains of the churches and chapels, from the pious readings or eloquent preachings. Our faith should invite him to walk freely into our hearts, into our lives, into all our works, into our families, into our neighbourhood and surroundings, and our parish and religious communities. 10. Still further, being emboldened and empowered by his own light and power, we must assiduously combat the evil. We must never relent but be ever alert. Thus, being fully charged by his Spirit, we must become more and more authentic and effective witnesses. The risen Lord must live in and through us. People should know that the Lord is truly risen and continues to live on because he lives and works in and through us. Direction: The holy Easter is not a one-time event or one-day celebration. His Spirit must be an unceasing experience of his light and strength (Reflection 2) Indicator: Our ignorance or arrogance often may prevent us from repenting, turning to the Lord, converting our life, and bearing witness to him   1.      To the apostles who were frightened and shaken in their faith, the risen Jesus appears and says, “Peace to you!” He asks them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?” He also shows them the way to tranquilise all our fears and doubts. 2.      First, he showed his hands and feet that were wounded and bruised for our sake. Second, he shared meals with them. Third, he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures and all the happenings according to the Scriptures. 3.       Jesus utters the same blessing even now to all of us, “Peace be to you!” He is asking us especially when disturbed and wavering, “Why are you troubled and doubting?’ The same remedies are relevant and effective even now. We need to see and experience him personally and clearly. Touch and see his love that suffered and died for us. 4.       Allow him to sit with us and share a meal with us. Allow him to open our minds to understand the Scriptures and see all that happens in the light of God’s holy will and plans. As Moses said, cited in the first reading, “You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you”. 5.       And as Peter exhorted, “Repent and turn again” to the Lord. Finally, be witnesses to him. This is what Jesus mandates, “You are witnesses of these things”, and Peter affirms, “We are witnesses to this”. 6.       Another important condition for such a personal experience of tranquillity and peace is humility. How humble Peter was! People began to glorify him after he healed the lame man. But immediately he attributes all credit to God. 7.       He questions, “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this … as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?” He admits quite candidly that it is due to the power of the same Jesus whom they killed. What a difference from many modern followers of Christ who are seekers of self-glory!   Pointer: If only we repent and turn to God, our sins will be blotted out, times of refreshing will come from the presence of the Lord, and all the families will be blessed