Witnessing the Resurrected Christ,
Homily Third Sunday of Easter Year C: Fr. Michael U.
Udoekpo
·
Acts 5:27-32,
40b-41;
·
Ps
30:2,4,5-6,11-13;
·
Rev 5:11-14
·
John 21:1-19
The Responsorial Psalm of today, “I will praise you Lord,
for you have rescued me,” sets the tone for what we celebrate today, the
resurrection of Christ, the source of our hope and joy. Like Peter and his
fellow disciples, the readings of today invites us to constantly bear
witness to Christ, his resurrection, in good times and in bad times, during
summer an during winter.
The resurrection of Christ is factual and truthful. It is
not a fiction! We have seen this proven in today’s Gospel. Jesus appears
the third time to his disciples. Now it was in the midst of their fishing
business.
Initially it was like a dream. They did not
recognize him, not until they shared a meal. Sharing a meal with one another,
especially with the poor is another way of expressing love and witnessing to
Christ. It also can close the gap of doubt, suspicion and denial among members
of the community.
Peter becomes a different person after sharing meal with
Christ again. Unlike the doubting Peter who denied Christ three times, today we
have a loving Peter, who professes his love for Christ, three times. Christ,
being man and God believes Peter. He sees through Peter. Peter is honest and
sincere. Peter is given a second chance. He was not written off. The Lord
entrusts him with the chair of Peter of caring for his flock, teaching them and
leading them to a life of true witness to Christ (John 21:15-19).
Peter of course is serious. He shows it in today 1st
reading, Acts of the Apostles. He says to the enemies of the faith, “We
must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though
you had him killed by hanging on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as
leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are
witnesses of these things… (Acts 5:27-32).
Witnesses to these things, the events of the lamb that
was slain, if we choose to go by the language of the 2nd reading
(Rev 5:11-14), comes with challenges and great sacrifices. Choosing to obey
God, the teachings of the Church, rather than just humans and secular or some
faithless thoughts of this century, is a form bearing witness to Christ’s
resurrection.
How, where and when we do this, are left for us.
Certainly there are millions of ways out there to witness
to Christ: sharing meals with our neighbors is one of them, the Eucharist
we actively participate in is one of them. Others could be, reaching out to the
poor, praying for, loving and respecting one another, our dads, our moms,
brothers and sisters, our children and grandchildren, husbands and wives,
friends and partners, colleagues and peers. Forgiveness, letting go, all acts
of charity, courage, fortitude, hope and faith endurance, praise and
thankfulness to God, are also forms of bearing witness to Christ, who
willingly went to the cross order to rescue us!
Reflection Questions
1.
How and when and
where do we witness the resurrected Christ?
2.
What prevents us
from living the lessons of today’s bible readings?
3.
In what ways have
we assisted our neighbors to witness Christ and the Gospel?
