Reflection for the Third Sunday of Easter…April 14, 2024

by Theresa Homan, Notre Dame Associate

Acts 3: 13-15, 17-19:  Repent and be converted that your sins may be wiped away.

1Jn 2: 1-5a:  He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.

Lk 24: 35-48:  “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?…it is I myself. Touch me and see.”

“Peace be with you.” Were those words enough to calm the terrified disciples as the recently executed Jesus stood, very much alive, in front of them? Surely Jesus saw the humor in asking them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?”

Of course questions arise when happenings don’t fit into our understanding of the way things work. When we’ve had to bury some of our hopes and dreams, or worse, a dearly loved family member or friend, it can feel like the end. But even while we grieve and remember we are called to be open to newness, to surprise, to the promise of resurrection. Life always follows death and Jesus is eager to prove it, “Touch me and see.” And he asks for some food so he can eat with them.

Not only does Jesus return to be with his loved ones, his death and being raised is a means of uniting us all in Love. Most of the disciples had abandoned Jesus in his Passion. He had to know they were feeling guilt and shame and with his trademark love and forgiveness, he wipes away their sins and even those of the whole world.

How do you hold both death and resurrection in your life right now? In what ways are you receiving and giving forgiveness?