Sunday Gospel Comment
Alberic Jacovone OSB
YEAR B THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER - 4.5.03 Acts 3,13-15.17-19; 1 Jn 2,1-5; Lk 24,35-48 It was necessary & it is written Start
of Luke's Gospel.
Finish of Luke's Gospel At the very starts of his book,
Luke states Luke's
Gospel closes with the story we read reason, method & goal of his
work: the
today. After appearing as stranger to two reason
that has motivated him to write, is
of his disciples on the way to Emmaus, he that other people have written
on 'events
presents himself to his apostles, appealing among us' & he wants to have
his say. The to
them in a most moving and convincing method
is for him to acknowledge the wri-
way: 'These are the words that I spoke to tings of others and to make his
own ac-
you while I was with you that everything curate research on all first
hand witnesses,
written about me in the Torah of Moses, the who have handed down their
involvement
Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled... in such events. Finally, the goal
is to draw
Thus it is written that the Messiah / Christ a
lesson from history, and 'to show for us
is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the weak believers, how solidly
founded is the
third day; that repentance and forgiveness teaching we have received' about
Jesus.
of sins is to be proclaimed to all nations, Luke is keen to demonstrate that
God has
starting from Jerusalem: you are witnesses an authentic relationship with
us: all events
to these things'. To the two disciples on the of history are guided by him;
indeed history
way to Emmaus Jesus had already pleaded: makes sense only when it is
interpreted and 'Oh
how foolish you are, and how slow to & studied against God's
fundamental truths.
believe all that the Prophets have clearly
Here are the words by which he
starts his
taught! Was it not necessary that Christ the book: 'Since many have
undertaken to set
Messiah should suffer these things & then down an orderly account of the
events that
enter into his glory?'. It is important for have been fulfilled among us,
just as they
Luke to stress the conviction that Jesus is were handed on to us by those
who from
central to God's plan of salvation: he is the the beginning were the eye
witnesses and
Saviour talked about by the Prophets - his servants of the word, I too
decided, after
plan to save us all has really taken place - investigating everything
carefully from the
as Risen Lord, He stands above all history. very start, to write an orderly
account for
In his concluding admonishments, Luke you, my excellent
reader-in-love-with-God,
anticipates the praise & surprise of the that you may evaluate how well
founded is early
disciples, who after Jesus' return to the truth concerning the things
you have
God, are left in the Temple, proclaiming received in your Christian
instructions'.
the wonders of the Lord. All has happened Luke then, sets forth the words
& works
as fulfilling God's will from the start: Jesus of Jesus as fully human yet sent
by God,
is indeed prophet and Messiah, who has whose compassion and tenderness
well
come from God to bring God's mercy to us extends to all believers in all
nations who
Right through his mission he has: been led were ready: Jesus' universal
mission is
by the Spirit, has humbly proclaimed God's traced from infancy on, the
despised race
Good News ('Euangelion'); he is the new of Samaritans is included, women
have a
Moses & the new Elijah, he interprets and place of importance among the
followers
fulfils the Scriptures about the suffering of Jesus, and all pagan Nations
have an
Messiah - & for us too, to enter God's glory opportunity to accept the
Gospel, as Good it
is necessary to embrace the cross. Our News from God, full of mercy
towards all. Risen
Lord is at the centre of our history.
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