Third Week of Easter : Sunday 14th April 2024

The crowd listening to Peter discovered to their horror that they had made a catastrophic mistake. They had killed Jesus, the Author of Life. What could undo such a terrible deed? But Peter had comforting news: they had acted in ignorance, and even now if they repented and were baptised, they could be saved. And many did. We are never beyond God’s mercy.

John insisted that those who claim to be followers of Christ must act like it – they must ‘walk the talk.’ To claim to follow Jesus and to live in a way that is sinful, unkind, lacking compassion and mercy, or unjust is to make one a liar. These are sobering words that we must always keep in mind.

Jesus appeared suddenly in the upper room and showed Himself to the Apostles. They were overjoyed, yet some of them still doubted. They share this tendency with many people, for we all struggle with doubt at times. Jesus had to prove that He was indeed alive and not a ghost, showing His wounds, and even eating some fish. Ghosts do not eat! He then gave them their mission: to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth, and to proclaim repentance and the forgiveness of sins. That is still our mission – how well do we accomplish it?

Lord, help me to proclaim the good news in word and deed.