Third Sunday of Easter
Early March, news shocked the Christian world that in a militant attack on a convent in Aden, Yemen, four nuns (Sr. Anselm, Sr. Reginette, Sr. Judith, Sr. Marguerite) from Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity were among the 16 people who were killed. The four sisters, two from India and two from Africa worked in a nursing home attached to their convent. It was also reported that a Salesian priest from India, Fr. Thomas Uzannalil was handcuffed and kidnapped. To date, there is no news about him. Around Holy Week, there were rumors that Fr. Thomas was to be brutally crucified on Good Friday. Thank God that this was only a rumor, but not having any information about him is worrisome. As I read today’s readings, particularly the first and second reading, I could not help but think about Fr. Thomas and the sisters. I find it amazing that people choose to be in places of conflict and preach the “good news” of Jesus Christ. I almost feel guilty that my life is so secure.
We are in the third week of Easter. All our readings are from the New Testament and they all are about the resurrected Christ. They also outline the impact of the resurrection of Jesus. The logic that this homily follows is that the implications that the resurrection of Christ had for early Church is the same implications it has today.
1. Implication of the First Reading: Imitation of Christ
The first reading describes the effort of the authorities to stem the effects of the death and resurrection of Jesus. The strange detail is that the apostles find themselves in the presence of the Sanhedrin - the same place that Jesus was tried. At the end of the passage comes another small but powerful detail: “So they left the presence of the Sanhedrin rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor of the sake of the name.” Why the joy? Scripture scholars and theologians tell us that what motivated the early Christians was the “imitation of Christ.” Some of these men and women gladly embraced death rather than deny their faith because martyrdom bound them closely to Christ. The persecuted apostles rejoiced not at the suffering, but rather, at the opportunity to imitate Christ. This also explains the reason why missionaries like Fr. Thomas and the four nuns take the risk to be in dangerous places. The passion and zeal they exhibit comes from the desire to imitate Christ in all things. This precisely is the implication for us as well. If faith needs to mean anything to us; if religion needs to be more than a way to get to heaven; if faith need to be more than a crutch that we lean on; if faith is not something that is stagnant - the key to all of this is the imitation of Christ. If our religiosity does not lead us to think, talk, and act like the Christ of the gospels, then, I believe that we have not understood the implication of the resurrection.
2. Implication of the Second Reading: Suffering Prepares the Future
The second reading is from the Book of Revelation. There are many things can be said about the book of revelation, but perhaps, the most relevant information is that it is written during the time of brutal persecution. The main purpose of Revelation is to offer hope and consolation to the persecuted community. The glorious vision that is described in this book is meant to counter the suffering endured by the persecuted community. For a moment, think about families of the nuns who were killed in Yemen and the priest who is still missing. Passages like these give hope to the families that the sacrifice of their loved ones was for a greater cause. However, passages like these can also be used to give hope to anyone who is suffering. I was with an elderly person in the parish who now finds himself in a nursing home. After seventy years of active life, a fall has confined him to a bed for three months. He said to me, “I know if I suffer with Christ, I will also rise with him. I am finding it very difficult to deal with my immobility. But I know God has given me this time so that I can evaluate my life and use it to strengthen my relationship with him. If I suffer with Christ, I will also rise with him.” I had nothing to say to this man. He has figured it all out. He has hope in suffering because of the resurrection of Christ. The book of revelation is meant to give us hope in the midst of any kind of suffering.
3. Implication of the Gospel Reading: Its All About Love
The second story is very personal to me a this time. I have just been appointed pastor of two parishes. Jesus appointed Peter as pastor of the entire church. However, Jesus’ question to Peter was not, “Are you ready?”, but rather, “Do you love me?” I hear Jesus saying to me today, “You have no business to be a pastor if you do not have a intimate and passionate relationship with me.” And I hear Christ very clearly. My first task as pastor is to strengthen my own relationship with Christ. I think of Fr. Thomas. I want to love Christ like he loves Christ. But then, this makes me think that every person is a pastor is some capacity or another. As father, mother, husband, wife, doctor, nurse, engineer, manager, teacher or simply a worker, we are all responsible for one another. I can hear Christ say to every one of us: “Do you love me?” Only when we respond in Peter’s words, “Lord, you know that I love you,” does Christ day to us, “Tend my sheep.” In other words, to be the best father, mother, worker or professional, our first task is to strengthen our relationship with Christ. Today, Jesus is not merely asking us a rhetorical question. Rather, Christ is inviting us to a very personal and passionate relationship with him. We must take the time in prayer and reflection to accomplish this.
- Fr. Satish Joseph