3rd Sunday of Easter- April 18th 2010
Loyalty and fidelity to the Risen Lord
Once a woman named Mary invited some people to a dinner. At the table, she turned to her six-year-old daughter Stephanie and asked, “Do you love me” Then Stephanie said “Mom you know that I love you and I am very obedient to you!” Then mother said "Honey, why don’t you say the blessing before the meals?" "I wouldn't know what to say Mummy," Stephanie replied. "Just say what you hear Mommy say," Mary answered. The Stephanie bowed her head and said, "Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people for dinner?"
Mary liked to invite people and used to grumble about it. The child hears such grumbling and thinks that it is a prayer. The child really loves the mother and very loyal to her mother and has the fidelity to what she says. Loyalty and fidelity are tow word that express our sincerity and commitment. Today where we are we are called to have these tow qualities
All the three readings of today focus on the necessity of our loyalty to God and our fidelity to Jesus. Let us look at the three readings. Today’s First Reading narrates fact of preaching by the disciples of Jesus in the Temple. Indeed the Temple became an attractive place for them to preach the good news. While they were teaching the captain and the Temple police move to the place to arrest the disciples. They were taken before the Council and were accused for continuing to preach in the Name of Jesus even after the warnings they received. As leader of the group, Peter speaks on behalf of the disciples before the council. He courageously tells them: “We must obey God rather than any human authority.” Toe reasons are given for this fidelity and commitment –
a. The Resurrection of Jesus and the presence of the Spirit
b. The disciples are commissioned by Jesus to “Go into the entire world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.”
In the second reading we have the reference about the loyalty and fidelity of the four creatures and the elders. The four creatures and elders mean that whole creation and the church are involved in adoring and thanking Christ under the image of a lamb that is slain for all the people.
In the second part of the Gospel we have the scene where Jesus is asking Peter on three times the question, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” And three times, Peter affirmed his loyalty to Jesus, promising to serve Him, even to death. Each time Jesus gives him the mission to care for his sheep. He is given the call to leadership and to continue his mission. Jesus demanded a threefold profession of love from Peter was in response to Peter’s threefold denial prior to the passion. Undoubtedly, Peter knew that he was being reminded that on three past occasions, he had denied his knowing the Lord Jesus. When Peter is asked the third time, it hurts him and finally he says: “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Knowing the transformation and conversion that has taken place in the heart of Peter, Jesus accepts his word and places His authority and leadership on him. He was commissioning Peter to be the shepherd of his newly founded church. Simon Peter would be the new shepherd and he would take the place of Christ. He would provide protection and pasturage for the Christian flock, the people of God.
Today Jesus is calling each one of us by name and asking the same question. Do you love me? What is our response?
1. I need to examine my relationship with God? Is God the master of life?
2. How loyal am I to God who created me in his own image and likeness?
3. I am commissioned to live my Christian life here and today.
Today when we receive the Holy Eucharist, let us publicly show our loyalty to Jesus. Through the reception of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, we are professing our faith in the Divine Presence of Jesus manifested in the Living Bread. By our presence here today, we are saying to Jesus, “My Lord, all authority is yours! You are my Lord and my God! Guide me! I humbly obey your commission!”
