3rd Sunday of Easter April 14, 2024

Readings: Acts 3:13-15,17-19; 1 John 2:1-5; Luke 24:35-48.

The central message of today’s readings is the connection between peace and forgiveness in the Holy Eucharist. The Risen Lord appeared to the disciples in a human form, bearing the marks of the crucifixion. The disciples were in a state of alarm and fright on seeing him. They thought they were seeing a ghost. But the Lord greeted them, ‘Peace be with you!’. The Lord noticed their agitation and the doubt rising in their hearts. These were as a result of the fear of the Jews and their betrayal of the master by deserting him during his passion. Appearing to them while bearing the mark of the crucifixion is a sign of his peace that comes through forgiveness. It is a graceful moment when the one offended extends the hand of reconciliation. The disciples’ joy were so great that they could not believe it. He dined with them in order to show that the daily Eucharist is a repetition of the same process of peace and forgiveness.

Peter’s sermon in the first reading is both a reminder and an awareness of our involvement in the passion and death of the Lord. Through our ignorance we demanded the reprieve of a murderer and the killing of the Prince of Life. Since it is the will of God that his Christ should suffer, we have been forgiven through the resurrection of the Lord. The second reading urges us to appreciate the sacrifice of our redemption through obedience to God’s command. Our fidelity to the daily Eucharist is the prescribed appreciation.

In the Eucharist, we recall Christ’s death and resurrection. In the Eucharist, the significance of what was written about the Lord in the scriptures becomes clear to us.

Thank you!

We sincerely thank you for all the help given to Shitan’s family to transport the body of our deceased brother John Olyumei Shitan to Nigeria. The body reached safely to Nigeria. The Shitan family is very grateful. Thank you for all your generosity and support.

Fr. Terry.