Thursday in the Octave of Easter
News about the resurrection of Jesus spread very slowly. Mary Magdelene was the first to hear and then to see him. The realization eventually also dawned upon the travelers to Emmaus. The disciples in Jerusalem came to know of both events. Still they, too, were startled, terrified, and troubled when Jesus appeared to them. When the peace of Christ allowed their minds to catch up with their sight, their anxieties were transformed into incredulous joy. Jesus asked for food (to relate with them in a basic and familiar way), and only afterwards did he open their minds to the Messianic teaching in the law (Moses) and the prophets—continuing the conversation he began on the road to Emmaus. The Messiah is Jesus. He also will send “the promise of my Father upon you.”
Today, the Acts of the Apostles continues the story of the healing of the crippled beggar from yesterday. Peter has already received “the promise of my Father” (the gifts of the Holy Spirit). Seeing the crippled man now walking and jumping and praising God attracted a lot of public attention. Peter deflects the crowd’s frenzy. He did not act by his own power, but through his faith in the Holy and Righteous One, the Author of Life, the Messiah . . . in short, through someone known by many of them—Jesus. And he quotes passages from the Old Testament to support this claim. The death of Jesus, although premeditated, was done in ignorance. Picking up the message of Jesus, Peter assures the crowd that if they truly repent, these sins will be wiped away. They have a choice.
Reflection by Br. Jacob Kubajak, OSB
Posted in Article for Easter, Daily Reflections