Easter Joy

 

Third Sunday of Easter

Year B

Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; Psalm 4:2, 4, 7-9; 1 John 2:1-5; Luke 24:35-48

“Why are you troubled?  And why do questions arise in your hearts?”
Luke 24:38

Are you still living in the glow of Easter joy?  Or have the daily routines begun to crowd it out?  I remember thinking this Easter that if what we believe is true- that Jesus has truly risen from the dead- then what could actually trouble me?  What could be too difficult for God?  What would I truly have to worry about or be upset about if this is all true?  And yet, I find that it is easy to return to the “routine” of daily living and essentially forget that Jesus has risen.

I don’t think I’m alone.  Perhaps you’ve been experiencing something similar.  Is it possible even the first disciples had a similar experience?  Perhaps.  But, of course, they still had Jesus physically with them during these days we now call the Easter season.

Our Gospel today comes from Easter evening.  The Eleven have just heard from the two disciples who had been on their way to Emmaus.  Suddenly, Jesus was with them.  Naturally, they were astonished and couldn’t believe their eyes.  Jesus gave them incontrovertible proofs.  He showed them the wounds in His hands and feet.  He allowed them to touch them to see that He was flesh and bones and no mere ghost, or figment of their imagination.  Finally, He ate some food in front of them.  All of these demonstrated that Jesus was physically alive.  Then He began to teach them the scriptures, just as He had done for the two on the road to Emmaus.

It’s here that Luke uses an interesting phrase: “he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” Many of us have heard the Scriptures.  Some of us have read, or even studied the Scriptures.  But it isn’t until Jesus opens our mind that we really begin to understand them.  Jesus goes on to show how the Scriptures foretold all that happened and then He tells them that, as a result, they need to preach repentance from sin and faith in Him. 

But let me go back to what He said when He first appeared to them. “Why are you troubled?  And why do questions arise in your hearts?”  Doesn’t this also apply to us in our current context?

If Easter joy only lasted for Easter then it is a sign that we are still in need of pondering its message.  If it lasted the week and then faded, we’re further on the road.  If it waned in the last week then this is an excellent time to recall the story.

How do we maintain Easter joy? 

Well, for one, the Church has provided a means by what is offered to us in the lectionary.  Each Sunday we are still considering the resurrection of Jesus or its implications.  Furthermore, our first reading during all of the Easter season comes from the Acts of the Apostles.  There, we are given first hand witness to the power of the resurrection and the way it transformed lives.  The Church intends that we should be encouraged and strengthened by these readings.

But another way we can maintain Easter joy is in prayer.  As we continue to prayerfully reflect and meditate on these things we can be filled with joy.  It also helps to increase our faith.  As I asked at the outset, if Jesus is alive then what is too hard for God? 

Think for a moment, what things are facing us right now that are crowding out Easter joy?  These are the things we need to bring to God in prayer.  And as we do, we need to consider again the impact of the resurrection.

I think in some ways this is scary for us.  What if it isn’t true?   What if there’s some other explanation?  Many critics have proposed such things.  Could they be right? 

These are the things that perhaps go through our minds.  Or maybe it’s just that, while we believe the story of Jesus to be true, we’re not sure that He’s willing to work so powerfully in our lives.

We need to allow the Lord to encourage us in faith.  Again, this takes place in prayer.  As we pray we can hear His gentle voice asking us, as He asked those first disciples, “Why are you troubled?  And why do questions arise in your hearts?”  In those moments, don’t be afraid to open up to what God wants to speak to you or accomplish in your heart.  Allow Him to reassure you, as He did those first witnesses, that He is truly alive and that nothing is impossible to Him.  Listen as He once again invites you to accompany Him on the great adventure of bringing His message into this present world.  Don’t be afraid!  The Lord is truly risen!

Has Easter joy faded?  Read this Gospel again.  Let Jesus show you His proofs for His resurrection.  Then allow yourself to believe.  Rekindle Easter joy and send your fears and worries packing.  It’s not that the Gospel is too good to be true.  It’s that it’s so good it must be true!