3rd Sunday of Easter
Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19; 1 Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35
The air continues to be a little heavy among Jesus’ disciples after his death at the cross and the miracle of the resurrection. The road to Emmaus, however, provides us with Luke’s perspective on Jesus appearing to the disciples and providing comfort and encouragement.
In the gospel lesson for today, a follower of Jesus named Cleopas and another unnamed one are walking away from Jerusalem and the scandal of the crucifixion. When the resurrected Christ appears and walks alongside them, they are kept from recognizing him (Luke 24:16). Maybe it was Jesus’ intention to remain disguised. Maybe they were overwhelmed with grief (verse 17). Maybe it was both. The truth is that Jesus is the one who chooses to stay and reveal himself to them in the ritual of remembrance that removes the cloud of angst and sadness and restores their joy and purpose. They return to Jerusalem, bearers of good news.
In Acts, we hear the assurance from Peter. The Holy Spirit we receive in baptism, which brings us faith and forgiveness, is a gift for “everyone whom the Lord calls (verse 39).” In 1 Peter, we learn that Christ was imagined from the beginning of all things, but it is revealed to all who belong to him at the proper time (verse 20), a time when the believer is born anew, into a new age or existence, by the living and enduring word of God, to live in “genuine mutual love” that comes “deeply from the heart (22).”
The Psalmist proclaims, “What shall I return to the LORD for all his bounty to me? I will lift the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD (verses 12-13).”
Bridging Faith 