THE LORD WANTS US TO ENCOUNTER HIM

 

 

A Reflection for the Third Sunday of Easter, Year B

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Readings: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19ab, 1 John 2:1-5a, Luke 24:35-38

 

Since Easter Sunday, our gospel readings have been mainly on the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus to his disciples. Following his resurrection from the dead, Jesus made a number of appearances to his followers. He showed himself alive (in his risen and glorified form) through many perceptible and infallible proofs. In the gospel reading of today, while the two disciples who had encountered the Lord on their journey to Emmaus were narrating the experience of their encounter with the Risen Lord to the rest of the disciples, Jesus once again, appeared to them all and shares a meal with them (Luke 24:13-48). The early Church was certain beyond any shadow of doubt that Christ rose from the dead. This attests to the boldness of the disciples of Jesus in speaking about Christ’s resurrection even to the point of risking their lives to seal their testimony.

The post resurrection appearances of Jesus were both restorative and reassuring. They reassured the apostles that Jesus is truly risen and alive. But also, the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus restored the faith of the apostles that was dampened by the death of Jesus. The two disciples on the way to Emmaus were running away from Jerusalem but their encounter with the Risen Lord restored their faith to the extent that they had to come back to the same Jerusalem they were fleeing from. They came to the rest of the disciples at Jerusalem and became witnesses- they told of what had happened on the road, and how Jesus was known to them in the breaking of the bread (Luke 24:35). As today’s disciples of Jesus, we too are called to be witnesses to Christ’s resurrection.

In most cases, bearing witness to Christ may be very daunting especially when you are in an environment or amongst people who are hostile to the message of Christ. This is the experience of Peter in the first reading of today Acts 3:13-15). The apostles of Jesus went through series of imprisonments and persecutions while bearing witness to Christ. (Acts 3:13-15). In the second reading, St. John tells us that another way of bearing witness to the resurrection of Christ is not simply by words but by keeping the commandments of God. The love of God is perfected in us when we keep God’s word and live a life of holiness.

Finally, in our time, the Risen Jesus is still showing himself to us. He wants us to encounter him like his disciples. The Eucharist is always an occasion for us to encounter Jesus and to get to know him better. Every encounter with Jesus brings about a transformation. Like the disciples, may the eyes of our mind too be opened so that we may always recognize Jesus in the breaking of the Word and the Bread at Mass. Our encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist will yield rich spiritual fruits in our lives if we always approach him in purity of hearts.