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April 21, 2022“Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.”
In the Gospel today, Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection. They were terrified when he “stood in their midst and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’” Our minds can be quickly clouded by our own fears. The disciples were afraid that he was a ghost. He must show them his hands and feet, his wounds, his ability to eat before they believe it is really him. He shows them what has been prophesied about him throughout the Scriptures is true. He really is risen! He reminds them again that Scriptures say that “the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations…” Finally, he gives them a mission to be witnesses. Christ is risen, and all will be well, if we will preach in his name the truth of repentance and forgiveness in him.
In the Acts of the Apostles, Peter and his disciples cure a crippled man at the temple. He preaches to all of us as “children of Israel.” Peter knows that we are new people because Christ died for us. “Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away, and that the Lord may grant you times of refreshment.” It is Easter, the time of refreshment, because “God raised up his servant and sent him to bless you by turning each of you from your evil ways.” We are witnesses of God’s great mercy and forgiveness. Rejoice! Alleluia!
