Third Sunday of Easter

Here are the readings for the Third Sunday of Easter, April 22, 2012:

Acts 3: 13-15, 17-19

Psalm 4: 2, 4, 7-9
1 John 2: 1-5a

Luke 24: 35-48

To get the full drama of this resurrection account, it really is best to read ALL of Chapter 24 of Luke's Gospel. It begins with women going to the tomb, finding it empty, and reporting back to the apostles who don't believe them. Peter goes to the tomb and also finds it empty. Then we read the "Road to Emmaus" story, where Jesus joins two disciples on the road and is finally recognized by them in the familiar action of his blessing and breaking the bread at table. These disciples head back (still on the same day, by now the evening of Easter Sunday) and while they and the apostles are trading stories (can you imagine the speculation, doubt, hope, swirling around that room???), Jesus himself appears!

To help them get past their fears, he invites them to touch him and eats in front of them, proof that he is truly and fully raised, not just a figment of their collective imagination.

"Why are you troubled," he asks them, and "Peace" is his wish for and blessing of them. Not a scolding for deserting him on Good Friday, nor mocking them for cowering in fear in this room, but "peace".

•  Which story of Chapter 24 resonates most with you right now?
• In what way are our celebrations of sacraments similar to the events of this story?
• In what ways to do you experience Christ's peace?

Mystagogia continues this week after the 9:30am Mass.