Jesus, Agent of Unity, Reconciliation and Peace (Friday, Easter Octave, 2021)

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The gospel (cf. John 21:1-14) remarks towards the end that: “This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead”. We may have to ask: Was it actually necessary that Jesus should appear to them again and again? Let us not forget that these were a people who were still dazed by what had happened, possibly still living in fear and suspicion. In fact, the gospel notes that when Jesus appeared to them again for the third time, “they did not know that it was Jesus”. Why did they not know that it was Jesus if Jesus had appeared for the first and second time? Their faith and confidence needed to be rebuilt not once, but over time. Appearing to them on several occasions was also another way of strengthening their faith, rebuilding their confidence, reviving their hope and reassuring them of His constant presence. Their experiences and testimonies should also achieve the same for us and in us.

 

Acts 4:1-12 narrates that the apostles were being tried for healing a cripple at the Beautiful Gate. At that trial, Peter spoke with courage, preaching about salvation in Christ. What can explain why Peter could stand before those Jewish priests, the captains of the Temple and the Sadducees preaching courageously about Jesus whom he denied in the past? The Power from Above was at work in Peter; and the resurrection and appearances of Jesus might have also reinforced his faith and rebuilt his confidence.


Important to note are the names of the disciples named in the story of John 21:1-14. They were all characters that had had some negative past encounter with Jesus: Peter the DENIER, Thomas the DOUBTER, Nathanael the CYNIC, and the Zebedee brothers, who CHILDISHLY RIVALLED FOR GREATENESS. After the miraculous catch of fish, Jesus invited them to breakfast. That breakfast was like a reconciliation service—and a nice way to start again after a bitter past. To have ever invited them to breakfast was another sign that the past should not be remembered.


Let that same spirit of UNITY & RECONCILIATION begin our day today. JUST LIKE JESUS, LET US FORGET ABOUT THE FRACTURED RELATIONSHIPS OF THE PAST; AND TAKE UP A NEW TASK OF BUILDING BRIDGES FOR RENEWED RELATIONSHIPS AND FRIENDSHIPS!


Prayer:

Lord, may the testimonies of the apostles continue to be a source of hope and strength for us as we bear witness to You, Amen!


Have a blessed day!



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