THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Thursday in the Octave of Easter, 2022

Acts 3:11-26

Ps 8

Luke 24:35-48

Peace

Dear friends in Christ, if there is something the world needs for now, beyond the human solution in sight, it is peace. One may wonder why it is so difficult. Although some are keen on achieving peace, they also do not seem to agree on the path to peace. There are even those who think that war is a path to peace. Many homes are troubled and communities are torn apart, yet the Lord greets us with peace.

In our first reading today (Acts 3:11-26) Peter after the miracle at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple, had a crowd gathered around him, in the Portico of Solomon and he took the opportunity to address them. He wanted the crowd to know that this miracle had been worked not by human power, but by the one whom they had led to the Cross—Jesus. “You denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Author of Life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.” It is very surprising how the crooked ones, get around the law. With the support of some powerful individuals, they can evade the punishment that is just for their crimes, while many good people get punished for nothing. Those who asked for Barabbas in place of Jesus wanted peace, but what kind of peace?

The first sign of the resurrection was the “Empty Tomb,” which was followed by the “Breaking of Bread,” with the disciples on the journey to Emmaus. The Gospel of today (Luke 24:35-48) reveals the third sign which is that the resurrected Lord is no longer bound by “Physical Factors.” While those who returned from Emmaus were still telling their stories of how Jesus had appeared and had journeyed with them teaching through the scriptures, Jesus came into the room and said to them, “Peace be with you.” He went on to show them the marks of his pain and suffering. To make sure that the disciples do not become bitter and vengeful about his passion and crucifixion, he told them again, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”

A Christian is called to be a man or woman of peace even in the present circumstances of a hostile world. Jesus works through his disciples. It is through us, that he wants peace to reign on earth. He is ever-present with us and he offers us peace as he opens our minds to understand that we can only conquer hatred by love. Repentance and forgiveness: is the way to peace in the world.

Let us pray: Lord makes us instruments of your peace. Let us sow love where there is hatred; harmony where there is discord; joy where there is sadness, Amen

+Remain blessed