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Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2009 /  We are witnesses to the presence of the Risen Lord among us

by Fr. Richard C. Macey special to The Michigan Catholic
Published April 17, 2009

First Reading: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19

This passage is part of the address to the crowd in the Temple after the intercession of Peter led to the cure of a man who had been crippled from birth. He begins by placing the actions of Jesus within the historical action of God for the salvation of His people. Then, he denounced their role in the trial and death of Jesus before Pilate. He softens his accusation a few verses later by affirming that they “acted out of ignorance.” This reflects Jesus’ own statement from the Cross in Luke 23:34.

By describing Jesus as “His (God’s) servant” and connecting Him with glorification, the author alludes to the “servant” in the suffering servant song of Isaiah 52:13. The Greek listeners would also connect the word for “servant” as “son.” Peter affirms the role of disciples to be witnesses to the saving works of God.

Just like the call of the prophets, the message of John the Baptist and the preaching of Jesus, Peter asks his hearers for a change. One commentator asserts that the invitation to “repent” and “be converted” is a call to changing one’s attitude and behavior.

Second Reading: 1 John 2:1-5a

The author appears to be addressing the successionists in the Church, those who believed that they were without sin. Acknowledging sinfulness is the first step to recognizing the powerful action of Jesus Christ as an “expiation for our sins.”

Paul recognizes that kicking the habit of sin is difficult. He knows that baptism does not solve the temptations and falling into sin. He assures the listener that despite our sinful condition, “we have an Advocate with the Father.” Jesus Christ is identified as our advocate. Later in this Gospel (e.g., John 14:16), this same term will be used for the Spirit. The double name, both “Jesus” and “Christ,” may connect mankind and God. His work is ongoing. It does not give the Christian permission to sin, but it challenges the believer, who “keeps his word” and “keep His commandments.” The author repeats the call to obedience. The presence of sin is a fact, but the believer is not to practice it.

The “love of God” can have three meanings. It can refer to God’s love for us, mankind’s love for God, or a particular quality of love In reality, all three senses are true and could be applied in this context.

Gospel: Luke 24:35-48

These verses are very close to the end of the Gospel according to Luke. The first line is a reference to the two disciples, who met the Risen Lord on the road to Emmaus. It combines both the Scriptural explanation (“what had taken place on the way”) and the meal with the Lord (“breaking of bread”). The order will be reversed in this story. Jesus eats and then “He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.”

The Lord reappeared “in their midst.” As the disciples were discussing Jesus, He came among them. His Real Presence is affirmed as He encourages them to “touch me.” Also, there is a reference to the wounds of the Passion Narrative, since Jesus also “showed them His hands and his feet,” although there is no statement as to what they will see. At first, “they were startled and terrified,” but they became “incredulous for joy and were amazed.” The presence of the Lord removed their fear. He appears again at a meal and eats with them. The bread at Emmaus and the fish in Jerusalem may recall the miracle of the loaves and fish in Luke 9:16 near Bethsaida.

The role of disciples as “witnesses” is given at the end of this passage. The work of Christ is joined with Scripture by the references, “everything written about me … thus it is written.” Jerusalem is the beginning of a universal mission of the disciples. This is the final teaching of Jesus before His departure in the Ascension. Jesus made His Real Presence known, not just by His words, but moreso when He accomplished a miracle/sign or when He shared a meal with His disciples. It is still a good way to teach. We buried a simple parish priest a few weeks ago. He was “simple,” not because he was unintelligent, but because he never served on any diocesan boards or headed up any programs. He was simply a parish priest with all that term defines. I was one of his interim deacon trainees, and I learned by following the example of the master.

Soon after I arrived for my assignment to the parish, I was awakened at 2 a.m. Fr. Art was called to anoint someone in the hospital, and he wondered if I would like to join him. When we arrived at the hospital and entered the enclosure where a man lay dying, we began the prayers of anointing and commendation. A voice from beyond the curtain began to respond to the prayers. Fr. Art stopped, stepped outside the curtain, and asked the man in the next bed whether he would like to join our prayers for his roommate. The man consented. We opened the curtain, and the three of us prayed for the imminent departure of one of God’s children to his reward.

That was my first experience of the sacrament of anointing. We had studied it in class, but this was the real thing. I still remember the lesson of inviting others to be a sign of the Real Presence in the unique role of ministry, which has been given to the ordained. We learn best from the lives of those who are faithful witnesses to the Risen Lord, those who have opened our minds to understand and see the presence of Christ among us.

Fr. Richard C. Macey is pastor of Our Lady of the Woods Parish, Woodhaven.