You Are Witnesses of These Things

Third Sunday of EasterActs 3:13-15, 17-19/1John 2:1-5a/Luke 24:35-48

The readings this week continue to unfold the events following the resurrection of Christ and the building up of the early communities of believers. Luke's Gospel assures us that Jesus who has risen was not solely spirit, but was fully human and divine. He eats, can be touched, and speaks to them clearly of the message He delivered before His death, now proclaimed in a new way. Jesus opens their minds to the Scriptures and reminds them in a profound way that they have been witnesses of all that the Scriptures have laid out.

Acts of the Apostles is an interesting study of the early Church as it rose from the cultures of the times. It is also amazing to me how the writings reflect similar realities of today regarding the proclamation of the Gospel message. Peter says to the people:

• God glorified Jesus, yet you handed Him over to be crucified
• Pilate tried to release Him, but you denied the Holy One
• Jesus was the author of life, yet you put Him to death

Not much has changed! We are a people of contradictions, aren't we? We want happiness, joy, and peace, and yet we deny the very path that will help us to obtain it all, thus settling for unhappiness, discontentment, and conflict. Let's consider Peter's words if he were to speak to us today:

• Jesus established a path of righteousness and Truth, but we deny He is the Way, trying to devise our own path to heaven through a myriad of spiritualities and New Age experiences
• Jesus established His Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, and yet we ignore Her authority
• Jesus is the author of life, yet we as a culture have no problem deciding who can live or die, whether through abortion, euthanasia, or violence

In the letters of John the beloved disciple emphasizes a disciple is called to live a life which is a living Gospel and example to all of Christ alive in the world. Those who live lives of great love and faith in God do not need to stand on street corners and preach--their genuine and faith-filled actions teach far beyondwords. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta is an example of this. Her simple life, inspired and led by the love for and of Christ was an example to all. There was never a doubt as to who or what motivated her--she was a living Gospel for all the world to read.

There are people in all of our lives who inspire us to live as disciples of Jesus. There is much talk in today's Church about evangelization. My Dad and I were talking about this the other day. "How did I evangelize?" he asked. "I haven't taken theology classes and I certainly don't preach to my neighbors." My answer to him was simple--it wasn't in the long speeches and intentional lessons of Scripture, but in the simple ways of being a loving father. I know he is a man of prayer--he prays every day and his example has left an imprint on me. I know he is a man of moral standards and discipline--his expectations for me taught me this. I know he trusts in a loving God who is compassionate--his caring for my terminally ill Mother showed me this. He knows Christ died for him and rose--his confidence that my Mother is in glory with the angels and saints sustains us. His rosary is always in his pocket and the Church is the cornerstone of his life. In my life he is the example of unwaivering faith, lived by example and when necessary, words that ring true with a confidence in His Savior that is unshakeable.

As we draw toward Pentecost, let us thank those that have stood as examples for us and also pray for those who do not know the Lord. May we be holy examples, leading all to the loving arms of Jesus Christ. Amen!