TO BELIEVE AND WITNESS OF THE RESURRECTION.

April 14, 2024.
Third Sunday of Easter – B.

Readings: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; Ps 4:2, 4, 7-8, 9; 1 Jn2:1-5a; Lk 24:35-48.

“Those who say, "I know him," but do not keep his commandments are liars, and the truth is not in them.” 1 John 2:4

A Sicilian proverb questions: “What good is faith if you don't live by it.” A Suyin proverb adds: “Faith is confirmed by the heart, confessed by the tongue, and acted upon by the body.”

The Resurrection of Christ is a mystery that goes beyond any other. It is the supreme mystery of our faith. As we say in the Anamnesis, it is the per excellence, "Mysterium Fidei." In it, we affirm that Jesus is truly the Messiah that was announced by all the Prophets and the Ancient Scriptures. The key, however, that opens to that Mysterium is faith itself.

Without faith, the resurrection of Christ is just a fantastic story but not a fact. It could be like any modern and postmodern legends such as the story of Superman, Harry Potter, or any other. But in faith, we see, believe, and witness that the Resurrection of Christ is not a story. It is rather, as says, the Catechism, a historical and transcendent event. "The mystery of Christ's resurrection is a real event, with manifestations that were historically verified, as the New Testament bears witness. In about A.D. 56 St. Paul could already write to the Corinthians: "I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve..." The Apostle speaks here of the living tradition of the Resurrection which he had learned after his conversion at the gates of Damascus." CCC 639

In today's first reading, filled with the joy of the Pentecost and the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter fearlessly confesses his faith in the Resurrection of Christ. He announces it with boldness to the people. Peter did so after healing the lame man who clings to him. Peter, by this preaching, not only draws the attention of the people to Jesus, but he also tells them that there is healing and perfect restoration in the Holy Name of the Risen Lord. It is by his power that the disciples act.

The actions and words of Peter and John are a beautiful act of faith in the Resurrection and a tangible way to witness that mystery and invite people to adhere to the kerygmatic message of salvation.

John, in the second reading, with a great and diligent effort comes to correct some false claims. He says quite clearly that knowledge of the Lord passes through faith in Jesus and keeping the commandments of God. "Those who say, “I know him,” but do not keep his commandments are liars, and the truth is not in them." And besides, we cannot profess our belonging and faith in the Lord and live in a libertine, notorious, and scandalous way. The Resurrection of Christ brings about a salvation that should also impact our moral behavior. For a perfect intimate union with God, and a sound knowledge of him, our moral being should be enlightened and oriented by his words and commandments. Otherwise, we are just pretending, and so liars. It is only through keeping the Lord's word that we reach perfection and truth.

We are called to be witnesses of the truth. Our lives should do so. The Resurrection of the Lord is a mystery of faith. We can truly enter into it and accept it only through faith. Without faith, the Resurrection of Christ remains a story, and the Risen Lord could be seen as a ghost.

Last Sunday, we heard the Lord admonish Thomas for his lack of faith and his doubtfulness. He wanted to see before believing. In today's Gospel, we see the whole group of disciples perplexed, doubtful, and thinking they were seeing a ghost when Jesus appeared to them. The Lord needed to show them signs, eat a piece of fish, and admonish them before they believed.

The journey of faith of the Apostles is also ours. We travel from uncertainties and doubts to the clear vision and knowledge of the Risen Lord. It is only with faith that we come to conversion, forgiveness of our sins, and newness of life. Without faith, Jesus' resurrection will always remain a mystery out of our reach and understanding, and even as a myth. But when we open ourselves to it with faith and enter into it, it transforms us from the inner to the outer.

Faith is the key to a genuine Christian life. Christian life itself is a life of repentance, reliance, and good works lived through the power of the Spirit and with the help of the means of grace. This life is made possible only through and by the Risen Lord. Without the Resurrection of Christ, Christianity loses its meaning, and our faith is made vain. As St. Paul could say to the Corinthians, “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith is in vain.” 1 Cor 15:14 But, thank God, Christ has risen. Therefore, our Christian life has a meaning. It is a life by faith, a life of things unseen and hoped for, a life for Christ and in Christ. Therefore, it requires moral standards and virtues. The Christian life is built on a foundation of faith. Christ is the cornerstone of that faith. May we feel the challenge today to make faith our aim and the reason for our lives.