3RD SUNDAY OF EASTER B

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TRULY THE FATHER’S SON





Who was Jesus for his disciples? We might be tempted to think that from the start, the disciples knew clearly who their Master was. In fact, did not Peter declare Jesus the Son of God and the Messiah who is to come? Did not James and John announce their willingness to drink from the same cup the Lord was destined to drink?



The truth is, however, that the disciples faith in Jesus was unstable, vacillating, and weak. Peter became a denier of Jesus, more times than Judas did. James and John thought the kingdom was an earthly one where they could reign with Jesus by sitting one on his right and the other on his left. The other disciples shared in the wonderment, the confusion, and the frustration at the twists and turns of the life of Jesus of Nazareth.



Easter changed everything. As witnesses to the Resurrection, the disciples confirmed their faith in the Lord. From what they have seen and from what the Holy Spirit inspired them to discover, Jesus is now clearly the center of the lives of these men and women who would be willing to offer their whole life and limb. A fundamental reflection becomes clear: Jesus is God’s Son; Jesus is at the very heart of God himself.



The first reading (Acts 3) speaks of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But this same God of Israel’s great men is the true Father of Jesus Christ. Like the Father, he is “the author of life” and so when men put him to death, the Father came to rescue his beloved. God spoke through “the mouth of all the prophets” but in Jesus his Son, he fulfilled all his promises. The second reading (1 Jn 2) affirms the special bond between Jesus and God for he is our Advocate or defender before God’s throne.



Today so many teachings, speculations, and doctrines about the Lord Jesus Christ abounds. Many of these devalue his divine connection to his Father. Others want to project a Jesus that is too detached from his own human history. The Easter faith of the disciples help us navigate through these confusions. Jesus, the man from Nazareth, is truly the Son of God. He is worthy of all praise and worship. He is worthy of our faithfulness and undivided love.



This Easter, let us deepen our relationship with Jesus. Is he the center of your life? Is he the Master of your thoughts and actions? Do you experience the power of his Resurrection through the peace (Lk 24) and forgiveness he gives?




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