THE
MARK OF THE RESURRECTIOIN
Meditation
for 3rd Sunday of Easter, Year B
(Acts
3:13-15, 17-19; 1 Jn 2:1-5; Lk 24:35-48)
The readings of today talk about forgiveness of
sins as the grace of the Resurrection. In the first reading, Peter explained
the Resurrection as the work of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The
children of Abraham rejected the one whom the God they claim to worship
anointed! That means their mindset, ways of life, choices, etc are in
opposition of the God and that of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. However, they
followed the wrong track in ignorance but that brought suffering to Christ. Nevertheless,
the prophets foretold that the Christ should suffer. The resurrection conquered
the suffering caused by their ignorance and at the same time fulfilled the
promise of God since Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. “Repent, therefore, and turn
again, that your sins may be blotted out.”
In other words, the sufferings of the Cross reveal the ugliness of sin; the resurrection exposes its ignorance and uselessness. Accepting the good news of the Resurrection implies leaving behind the ignorant and useless sinful ways follow Jesus as the right way. The grace of the resurrection gives us opportunity to change our ways and be counted anew as Children of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. That is why the second reading talks about how we are to remain as those who have accepted this message of the resurrection and know Jesus. “And this is the way to be sure that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.”
In the Gospel Jesus appeared to the disciples to clear their doubts and prove to them that He has risen. The resurrected body is really human, yet he passes through closed doors in His divinity. He explains that His resurrection fulfils the law and the prophets, which includes 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.”
If the wages of sin is death, it means victory over death that is caused by sin cancels out the effects of sin, and at the same time, reveals its worthlessness. The resurrection is the ultimate call to repentance. It is an invitation to participate in the righteous life of Jesus, with the power to live fully human and enjoy divine graces. Repentance removes the obstacle of sin so that we live out fully the life of the new man, Jesus Christ. It is the mark of the resurrection we touch today. Repentance makes us feel the healed scars of sin on the Body of Christ, the Church. Alleluia, Christ is risen as He said, Alleluia!
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Mother’s Day
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com
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