April 23, 2023 (Year A) Third Sunday of Easter
The readings today demonstrate the importance of knowing and understanding sacred scripture, especially the Hebrew Scriptures, or the Old Testament, if one is to fully comprehend other verses or scripture passages being read.
We see this in the First Reading, (Acts 2:14, 22-33) which is a speech by Peter delivered to the thousands of Jews and other nationalities concerning the events of Jesus. Peter addresses the crowd reminding them that although Jesus “the Nazarene” performed “mighty deeds, wonders, and signs” (Acts 2:22) with God working through him, they turned him over to their leaders, lawless men who put him to death via crucifixion. But God raised him up, releasing him from death.”
This event, Peter claims, was foretold by King David as a prophet and writer of psalms. In fact, a portion of the First Reading is an exact quote of David’s Psalm 16:8-11(cf. Acts 2:25-32) “I saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted; my flesh, too, will dwell in hope, because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.”
This excerpt that Peter recites, written by David, is full of phrases that, seen from the perspective of Jesus’ resurrection, appear to anticipate it. Peter goes on to recite a promise concerning the Messiah as foreseen by the prophet David. “But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld nor did his flesh see corruption. God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses” (Acts 2:30-32). Peter adds his own witness to this resurrection, and that of others, to give the fulfillment of the prophecy a sense of legitimacy.
The Gospel (Lk. 24:13-35) seems to follow a pattern similar to the First Reading. Two disciples are walking on the road to Emmaus (away from Jerusalem). They are discussing the events of the crucifixion and resurrection. Suddenly Jesus begins to walk alongside them, and he asks them what they are discussing. They go on to describe the Resurrection event. They identify Jesus as a prophet and tell how the chief priests and leaders handed him over for crucifixion. How the women found the empty tomb and encountered angels that said he was alive. And how some of their number went and indeed confirmed the women’s story.
At this point Jesus scolds them for not recognizing the prophecies about his being the Messiah described in their scriptures. He then goes on to interpret for them all that is written in the Hebrew scriptures that refers to him. As they approach the village they ask Jesus to stay and dine with them. This is when the extraordinary happens. When Jesus takes the bread, blesses and breaks it they recognize the gestures from the Last Supper and then they recognize that the man before them is Jesus. The two disciples excitingly rush back to report to the rest how they have seen and talked to the resurrected Jesus.
With this story we see how Luke shows the way in which the risen Lord taught the Church to read the Torah, that is the law, prophets, and writings of the Old Testament, as a prophecy about him. Then as they perceived the true, messianic meaning of the scripture, they were able to see Jesus in the breaking of the bread.
First Jesus begins with the interpretation of scripture, just as Peter did with David’s prophecy. Then to legitimize these prophecies he brings forth and recalls the image of the crucifixion and resurrection through the breaking of the bread. The resurrection shed new light on Jesus’ death, on his words, and on the scriptures. It is the review of scripture seen through the lens of the resurrection which brings the disciples to belief.
We are reminded of this every time we attend Mass. We listen to the scriptures and the explanation of the readings given by the priest or deacon and then we experience the Eucharist which makes present the resurrection. Thus just as in the incident with Peter’s speech, as well as the disciples on the way to Emmaus, it is a review of the scriptures about Jesus and the remembrance of the resurrection which emphasizes our belief in Christ as the Messiah. This fact demonstrates the importance of attending Mass as often as possible so that we can gain an understanding of the scriptures written about Jesus through the lens of the resurrection and discover the prophetic message of the Hebrew Scriptures and how it reiterates the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
