There are many beautiful aspects of our faith to ponder in today’s readings. I invite you to glance at three: the rock, the shepherd and the gift.
First, let’s take the opportunity to marvel at the transformation of St. Peter. A little more than 50 days before his exhortation recounted for us today in the Acts of the Apostles, we see Peter as his worst. Although chosen by Our Lord to be first among the apostles and given the new name of “Rock,” Peter wilts before the bystanders in Caiaphas’ courtyard who question him three times if he is a follower of Jesus. In those days, fear reigned in Peter’s heart and continued to reign there. Following the tragic events of Good Friday, Peter and the apostles remain huddled in the Upper Room with the door locked for fear of the Jews.
In today’s reading, Peter stands before the world as a brand-new creation. He approaches a great crowd of Jews in Jerusalem and speaks with remarkable conviction and confidence about Jesus. Furthermore, Peter chastises some of the Jewish leaders, “This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him. But God raised him up.” It is beautiful to see that fear no longer grips Peter’s heart. Rather, deep faith has taken over. Now Peter speaks of Christ with boldness and even rejoices when faced with persecution for the sake of his name.
Next, let’s turn our gaze to Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Following the resurrection, Jesus continues to seek out the lost and hurting sheep. On several occasions, Jesus actively pursues members of his flock who are mourning and deeply troubled, including Mary Magdalene, Peter and Thomas. In today’s Gospel, Jesus goes after two of his disciples who are skipping town on the day of the resurrection. Several moments in this scene suggest that the two disciples were overcome with grief and had lost faith. For instance, Jesus draws near on their journey and asks them what they are discussing on the road. They stop immediately, “looking downcast.” As they describe what they have been experiencing, they note: “But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel.” Finally, they describe how some of the women were at the tomb of Jesus earlier in the morning, “but him they did not see.” The Good Shepherd not only seeks them out, but also proceeds to set their hearts on fire as he interprets the Scriptures and reveals how many events and prophesies of the Old Testament referred to him. Finally, he stays with them at their request, sits down at table with them and ultimately reveals himself in the Breaking of the Bread.
This leads me to my third point, the promised gift of the Eucharist. There were so many great events in both the Old and New Testaments which pointed to and prepared the world for Jesus’ parting gift. In the Old Testament, we can point to the Paschal lamb, the cup of blessing, the manna in the desert and the temple sacrifices. In the New Testament, we can point to miracle of the loaves and fishes, the transformation of water into wine and the Bread of Life discourse. If the Eucharist is truly the greatest gift that Jesus gave us because, quite simply, it is the very gift of himself for the rest of history, then it makes sense that it would play a prominent role in one of the post-resurrection appearances.
It remains puzzling that Jesus draws near to Cleopas and his companion, engages them in conversation and explains the Scriptures to them during a seven-mile walk, and they fail to grasp who is before their very eyes. It was not until they sit down to table that Jesus is revealed to them in the Breaking of the Bread. They are so thrilled to make this discovery that they retrace their seven-mile journey back to Jerusalem in order to share the news with Jesus’ disciples.
Lord Jesus, we thank you for the immeasurable blessing of the resurrection. Set our hearts on fire as we marvel at the transformation of Peter, your healing ministry as our Good Shepherd and the precious gift of your ongoing presence in the Eucharist.
Fr. Peterson is director of mission and development for the Youth Apostles.
Rock, shepherd, gift
ADOBESTOCK
sheep web
There are many beautiful aspects of our faith to ponder in today’s readings. I invite you to glance at three: the rock, the shepherd and the gift.
First, let’s take the opportunity to marvel at the transformation of St. Peter. A little more than 50 days before his exhortation recounted for us today in the Acts of the Apostles, we see Peter as his worst. Although chosen by Our Lord to be first among the apostles and given the new name of “Rock,” Peter wilts before the bystanders in Caiaphas’ courtyard who question him three times if he is a follower of Jesus. In those days, fear reigned in Peter’s heart and continued to reign there. Following the tragic events of Good Friday, Peter and the apostles remain huddled in the Upper Room with the door locked for fear of the Jews.
In today’s reading, Peter stands before the world as a brand-new creation. He approaches a great crowd of Jews in Jerusalem and speaks with remarkable conviction and confidence about Jesus. Furthermore, Peter chastises some of the Jewish leaders, “This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him. But God raised him up.” It is beautiful to see that fear no longer grips Peter’s heart. Rather, deep faith has taken over. Now Peter speaks of Christ with boldness and even rejoices when faced with persecution for the sake of his name.
Next, let’s turn our gaze to Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Following the resurrection, Jesus continues to seek out the lost and hurting sheep. On several occasions, Jesus actively pursues members of his flock who are mourning and deeply troubled, including Mary Magdalene, Peter and Thomas. In today’s Gospel, Jesus goes after two of his disciples who are skipping town on the day of the resurrection. Several moments in this scene suggest that the two disciples were overcome with grief and had lost faith. For instance, Jesus draws near on their journey and asks them what they are discussing on the road. They stop immediately, “looking downcast.” As they describe what they have been experiencing, they note: “But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel.” Finally, they describe how some of the women were at the tomb of Jesus earlier in the morning, “but him they did not see.” The Good Shepherd not only seeks them out, but also proceeds to set their hearts on fire as he interprets the Scriptures and reveals how many events and prophesies of the Old Testament referred to him. Finally, he stays with them at their request, sits down at table with them and ultimately reveals himself in the Breaking of the Bread.
This leads me to my third point, the promised gift of the Eucharist. There were so many great events in both the Old and New Testaments which pointed to and prepared the world for Jesus’ parting gift. In the Old Testament, we can point to the Paschal lamb, the cup of blessing, the manna in the desert and the temple sacrifices. In the New Testament, we can point to miracle of the loaves and fishes, the transformation of water into wine and the Bread of Life discourse. If the Eucharist is truly the greatest gift that Jesus gave us because, quite simply, it is the very gift of himself for the rest of history, then it makes sense that it would play a prominent role in one of the post-resurrection appearances.
It remains puzzling that Jesus draws near to Cleopas and his companion, engages them in conversation and explains the Scriptures to them during a seven-mile walk, and they fail to grasp who is before their very eyes. It was not until they sit down to table that Jesus is revealed to them in the Breaking of the Bread. They are so thrilled to make this discovery that they retrace their seven-mile journey back to Jerusalem in order to share the news with Jesus’ disciples.
Lord Jesus, we thank you for the immeasurable blessing of the resurrection. Set our hearts on fire as we marvel at the transformation of Peter, your healing ministry as our Good Shepherd and the precious gift of your ongoing presence in the Eucharist.
Fr. Peterson is director of mission and development for the Youth Apostles.
Related Articles
Sacred Heart of Jesus
Corpus Christi
Made for communion