Third Sunday of Easter
Also Read: Mass Readings for 23 April 2023 Homily for 23 April 2023 – Sunday
First Reading: Acts 2: 14, 22-33
But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. (24)
St. Peter is addressing the people gathered here on Pentecost. As part of his sermon, he quotes scripture and testifies about Jesus Christ!
Amen, Alleluia !!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 16: 1-2, 5, 7-11
You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (11)
Second Reading: First Peter 1: 17-21
If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold. (17-18)
We know that we are in the time of our exile now and St. Peter is reminding us that we ought to live in “reverent fear”! Christ Jesus taught us to call God “Our Father” (Mt. 6:9); but do we live in that reality? We must re-focus our attention to the fact that just like Christ is in us through his Spirit and the Holy Eucharist; God Our Father too is close to us! Having been ransomed by the most precious blood of God’s Only Son, we must turn our hearts to imperishable things that will lead us to life. Our works and words must align in accordance to the redeemed life, we are called to live. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Gospel: Luke 24:13-35
But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. (29)
Until then their eyes were kept from recognizing him! Had they not urged him to stay with them that evening, they would have missed a great encounter. But it seems that the disciples on the Emmaus road were kind souls with a generous disposition. Had they not shown any concern towards a stranger that night, they would have missed the Lord!
I wonder how often we miss the Lord through our lack of attention and concern! We ask the Lord to permit us to recognize him in any situation. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
