It is 17th April 2020. The readings are from Acts 4:1-12; and the Gospel from John 21:1-14. No matter who rejects us and silences in our life, God accepts us, forgives us and heals us. No matter what we have done in the past, we have the power to be loyal and faithful to the one whom we have placed our trust. Sitting with our past will not make us to see something new possibilities. If we hold grudge against those who have made us to suffer, we will not be able to some new light and way out in the near future. We need to accept the innumerable opportunities the Risen Lord offers beyond the forced imprisonment and abuse of our freedom. In the first reading, St. Peter challenges the elders who arrested him and put him in jail by his strong confession of his faith in the Risen Lord. Doing good for praise and appreciation disappear by time. All the good works we do in the name of the one who created us and saved us surpass the human understanding. We will not have all the proofs to show and defend our stand for doing good yet if we have done it for the suffering Christ, that is all we need to do. In his fourth speech to the people of Israel, St. Peter confessed and honored Jesus: “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”(Acts 4:12) For Peter, Jesus becomes the leader, the cornerstone, and the salvation. Deliverance and redemption are guaranteed in the Risen Lord. Jesus is the Messiah who alone offers salvation. The way of peace is the path of salvation taught by Jesus. The enemy who treats Jesus as rejected one is right within the people of Israel who were after power and control. St. Luke encourages us not be afraid of the opposing elements and the characters. “My friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more.” (Lk.12:4). The responsorial Psalm “The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.” The Gospel shares the re-focusing and re-directing our life to the Risen Lord. Distraction, destruction, deviation and depravation are part of developmental growth in everyone’s life. At times, sickness, grief, loss can make us panic and do the things we regret later. Hence, we easily go back to what we were doing before the encounter and experience with the Risen Lord. During the spiritual communion times, we are repeatedly brought back to the break-fast table set by Jesus. Recalling and remembering the Last Supper with Jesus bring us closer to the Lord and those who are in need and in pain. Calling to dine is the act of forgiveness and love. As Jesus called the disciples especially Peter to let know that He does not remember anymore what they have done to Him, and forgiven them unconditionally throwing the banquet of love every day. Whatever we are going through at this point of time in our life, whether broken, disappointed, hopeless, uncertain, sick, indifferent, angry, upset, Jesus can handle it. What we need to do is to listen to him by placing our trust where He asks us to. Easter is the time to bring to Jesus what we have. However small and few in our hands and hearts, let us bring to Him. “Bring some of the fish you have just caught. Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish.” (Jn.21:9,11) Recognizing Jesus in our relationships found in our families is the meaningful Easter. The Risen Lord is waiting to welcome and to dine with us at the shore of every family. If we find it hard to recognize Him in the edge of families, it is impossible to feel him in the nudge of our relationships. May you have a good day. God bless you.