Peace’s Power: The Third Sunday of Easter 2024

                                                            Peace’s Power:

The Third Sunday of Easter 2024 

April 14, 2024

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Acts 3:13-19; Psalm 4; 1 John 2:1-5; Luke 24:35-48

 

We see the Apostles again huddled in the Upper Room joined with the two disciples who returned to Jerusalem from their trip to Emmaus. The two were eager to share the events that happened to them as they walked on that dusty road with a stranger who broke bread with them. Jesus appeared to wish them peace that would take away their fears. This peace was an extraordinary gift, the same peace that is offered to us today. 

 

The power of that peace turned the Disciples from people crouching in fear to Apostles who boldly proclaimed to the religious leaders of the day that they killed Jesus and God vindicated him. This peace gave them courage to speak what they knew – that Jesus was the Holy and Righteous One. It tells us that fear is not faith, and this peace gives us courage. A person who trusts in this peace will handle all of life’s challenges well – whether it is rejection, failure, lack of reconciliation, or even death. This peace takes away the essential fears that we have.

 

During Mass, after we say the Lord’s prayer, we wish one another peace. To our loved ones, we give hugs or a kiss of affection. To our neighbors, we extend a handshake or a wave. Imagine if we really thought about the sign of goodwill we are extending. Rather than a quick gesture, what would it be like if we took our time, looked the person in the eyes, really saw the person, tried to imagine what was going on inside the person, and sincerely wished the person wellbeing. Imagine the effect of looking upon a person and seeing them for who they are. Imagine the power that is within that gaze.

 

What if we were to bring this power into the world. The two disciples who returned from their trip to Emmaus were able to tell their story. What would happen if we gave each other time to hear their stories. I believe we would see each other’s humanity. We would not see those characteristics that separate us because we would see fellow pilgrims of humanity on the road to salvation. Loneliness is the great suffering of our day as so many of us feel disconnected even though technology has power to keep us together. Our ability to encounter one another and to wish one peace is a force that changes the world.

 

Imagine the power of this peace for humanity. It comes from a deep place that respects the sanctity of life. It breaks down any ideologies, judgments, or perceptions we have made. It allows us to connect the reality of God in my soul with yours. It is an inclusive peace of hospitality that shows no partiality but sees equal dignity in each person. It is a peace that forgives and reconciles and sees the radical potential for goodness of the human person who is striving. It is a peace that does not know war or suffering caused by human avarice or violence. We must give this peace a chance.

 

We are witnesses to the Resurrection, and this is the peace spoken about by the prophets and is the center of the law of Moses and the Psalms. It is the peace freely offered by Jesus that can transform the fears in our lives to convictions of courage. It is an unknown energy that we may not have tested fully yet. My prayer for us today is that we allow Jesus to offer us this gift once again, and may we be weak enough to receive it. His peace will do the rest. May this reconciling, forgiving power settle into our souls that we bring we bring forth boldly the creative, resurrecting presence of Christ. 

 

Scripture for Daily Mass

 

Monday: (Acts 6) Stephen worked great signs and wonders in the name of Jesus. 

 

Tuesday: (Acts 7) False testimony is lodged against him but he stands angelic before them. Angry opponents stone him, including Saul, who consents to execute him.  

 

Wednesday: (Acts 8) A severe persecution breaks out in Jerusalem and the believers are displaced to Judea and Samaria. Saul, trying to destroy the Church, enters house after house to arrest them. 

 

Thursday: (Acts 8) Philip’s testimony and miracles in Samaria emboldens the believers. Philip heads out to Gaza and meets an Ethiopian eunuch who is reading Isaiah’s texts. Philip interprets the scripture and the eunuch begs to be baptized. 

  

Friday (Acts 9) Meanwhile, Saul is carrying out hateful acts against the believers and is struck blind as he beholds a manifestation of Jesus. The beginning of his call and conversion takes place.  

 

Saturday (1 Peter 6 – Mark the Evangelist) Clothe yourself in humility; be sober and vigilant and resist the devil. The God of grace will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little.  

 

Gospel: 

Monday: (John 6) Jesus feeds the 5000 as a flashback to the Eucharistic memory of the believers with the Bread of Life discourse. 

 

Tuesday: (John 6) Jesus instructs them, “It was not Moses who gave you bread from heaven; my heavenly father gives the true bread.” Jesus proclaims, “I am the bread of life.”

 

Wednesday (John 6) God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but that the world might be saved through him. 

 

Thursday (John 6) Jesus states that all that is required is belief in him. Belief is not given to all. The way to the way is through the Son. 

 

Friday (John 6) The Jews quarreled and opposition to the cannibalistic references of Jesus rises because his sayings are hard to accept. He tells the people, “my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.” If you eat of Jesus, you will live forever. 

  

Saturday (Mark 16) Jesus appeared to the Eleven giving them instructions to proclaim the Gospel to every creature. 

 

Saints of the Week

 

No Saints are on the calendar this week.

 

This Week in Jesuit History

 

• April 14, 1618. The father of John Berchmans is ordained a priest. John himself was still a Novice. 
• April 15, 1610. The death of Fr. Robert Parsons, the most active and indefatigable of all the leaders of the English Catholics during the reign of Elizabeth I. 
• April 16, 1767. Pope Clement XIII wrote to Charles III of Spain imploring him to cancel the decree of expulsion of the Society from Spain, issued on Aprilil 2nd. The Pope's letter nobly defends the innocence of the Society. 
• April 17, 1540. The arrival in Lisbon of St Francis Xavier and Fr. Simon Rodriguez. Both were destined for India, but the King retained the latter in Portugal. 
• April 18, 1906. At Rome, the death of Rev Fr. Luis Martin, twenty-fourth General of the Society. Pope Pius X spoke of him as a saint, a martyr, a man of extraordinary ability and prudence. 
• April 19, 1602. At Tyburn, Ven. James Ducket, a layman, suffered death for publishing a work written by Robert Southwell. 
• April 20, 1864. Father Peter de Smet left St Louis to evangelize the Sioux Indians.