It is 19th April 2015. The 3rd Sunday of the Easter. The readings are from Acts.3:13-15,17-19; 1 Jn.2:1-5 and the Gospel from Lk.24:35-48. The first reading is the second sermon by St. Peter to the Jewish community at the Portico of Solomon in Jerusalem. St. Peter, a living witness, invited them to accept their ignorance in murdering the Messiah. “You killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead.”(Acts.3:14). The apostle called them to repent so to be forgiven by God. “Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.” (Acts.3:19). Our sins lead us to the ignorance and indifference towards God. The Second reading asserts the basic doctrine that death of Jesus is the sacrifice offered for the expiation of our sins. “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1Jn.2:2). The Responsorial Psalm prays, “Lord, let your face shine on us.” (Ps.4:7). The Gospel presents the appearance of Jesus on Easter evening to the apostles. St. Luke wanted us to believe that the death and resurrection is the purpose of God as the Scripture speaks, and the Risen Christ is fully present in the breaking of bread. The apostles now experienced the Risen Jesus in the breaking of the bread, in his words. All 324 messianic prophecies were fulfilled through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus commanded the apostles to pray for the Holy Spirit before they set out to announce crucifixion and expiation of our sins and everyone to repent and get the forgiveness through Jesus. Let us become the witnesses for the Risen Jesus in the breaking of bread on daily basis and let us not be ashamed in confessing our sins and repenting from it. May the Lord bless you.

Leave a Comment