Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Third Sunday of Easter, Year B – April 15, 2018.

Readings: Acts 3:13-15,17-19; Ps 4:2,4,7,9; 1 John 2:1-5; Gospel – Luke 24:35-48.

Theme: The Post-Easter Mandate and the Call to Repentance!

Introduction

Beloved in Christ, our liturgy calls us as a Post-Easter People to reflect on repentance as a necessary recipe for salvation. In doing this reflection, we shall scan the readings on the basis of theological, pastoral and practical lessons while indicating how it applies to our daily lives. It suffices to say that the Post-Easter period challenges us to demonstrate the demands of the Easter Season in terms of living out the values of the season and propagating the gospel to the ends of the earth.

A Resume of the Readings

In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 3:13-15,17-19), the early Christians were charged by St. Peter to repent and turn to God so as to have their sins forgiven. What is more, the Apostle Peter went memory lane to state how the events all began – he further stressed that it was the God of the Israelites, namely the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who glorified Jesus whom they handed over to be killed. He also mentioned how Pilate hand the chance to save the anointed one but did not which resulted in the accusation and condemnation of a just and innocent man who was murdered in place of a murderer. 

Peter emphasised that the Good News is that God raised him from the dead – a resurrection which they were witnesses to. He stressed that these events happened in fulfilment of prophesies of old that the Christ would suffer and so enter into his glory. This was the reason he insisted on the call to repentance to receive God’s forgiveness. 

In like manner, in the second reading (1 John 2:1-5), St. John charges us to stop sinning. He, however, stressed that if anyone commits sin, he has the opportunity to repent because we have an advocate with the father. Again, the theme of repentance comes out strongly. The Apostle, therefore, maintained that we must keep the commandments and accept the truth of the gospel noting that when we admit the truth, “God love comes to perfection in us.” 

The gospel of Luke (Lk. 24:35-48) records the appearances of Jesus to the Apostles on their way to Emmaus - how they recognised him at the breaking of the bread and how he appeared to the collage of Apostles with the greeting “Peace be with you” – How he showed them his hands and his feet; how their hearts were filed with joy and how he ate with them. 

After reiterating what he told the Emmaus-disciples, we are told that he opened their eyes to the scriptures and said: “So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” He surmised thus: “You are witnesses to this.” Again, the theme on the call to repentance comes out prominently. What then are the types of repentance?

Types of Repentance

1. Personal Repentance: This is a personal inner conviction that comes from an interior disposition that I have wronged my nieghbour or sinned against God. Without this realisation, it is difficult for anybody to acknowledge sin, seek repentance or reform. This is the first step in seeking repentance.  

2. Communal Repentance: Here, a group of persons who have hurt others may seek ways of making amends. The communal dimension of repentance demands that we seek reconciliation with other communities we have hurt or ask for God’s intervention as a community during famine or pestilence. This calls for fraternal correction (Matthew 18:15-19).