SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER (Cycle C) 1998

The Acts of the Apostles is the first Church History book; it describes the growth of the christian community. We should take note of the enthusiasm expressed in the text. Today we read from one of several summaries which describe the life of the early christian communities. The text highlights one aspect, namely that "many signs and wonders occurred among the people." This reminds us of gospel phrases saying the same thing about Jesus. Also like Jesus, the apostles preached in the temple. Most of the people were in awe of these men, as many were of Jesus, and gradually over a period of time, many, the text says, "in great numbers," were added to the Lord.

Peter is mentioned by name, Acts mentions his special place in the early community, and today's text tells us his shadow alone can heal. This too, reminds us that many were healed by touching the cloak of Jesus (Cf. mark 6:56).

The apostles continued the work entrusted to them by Jesus, who gave them powers similar to his own -- to cast out devils, heal the sick and diseased. Most especially they were to proclaim the Good News, to proclaim the Kingdom of God. They healed in the name of Jesus. This wonderful action and power proved to the early christian community that Jesus was at work in and through the community.

As was the case last Sunday, we respond with text from Psalm 118, a hymn of thanksgiving. It begins with verse 1 as a responsorial verse: "Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting, [or, "his mercy endures forever"). This refrain, "his mercy endures forever," is a chant-like response in verses 2 - 4, as Israel and all peoples "who fear the Lord" are invited to cry out in thanksgiving.

What do we give thanks for? For what Jesus continues to do in the community through the ministry of the apostles he commissioned to carry on his work. Which commission, by the way, we share in today.

We noted last Sunday, Easter Sunday, that this psalm can be given a messianic reading. And in this context we read verses 13-15 today. We give recognition to help from the Lord, who is "my strength and my courage" and who is "my savior" (vs. 13-14). In this Easter season we give recognition to Christ as our source of strength and courage, and we proclaim him as Savior, this Christ whose presence was known and experienced in the early christian communities, and whose presence and power we know and experience in the Church today. Verse 15 is a "joyful shout of victory." We know what Christ accomplished by his resurrection, his victory over death.

The final verses (22-24) of our response repeat in our messianic reading of the text, the identification of Jesus as the foundation and cornerstone of our faith. And we end our response with what is the Easter verse from the psalter: "This is the day the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice in it" ( vs. 24), and our thanksgiving responsorial verse: "Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting." (vs. 1). That enduring love is evident still in the world through the ministries of the apostles, and in our time, through the mnistries of the church. We all have a part in this ministry.

* ©Resurrection of Lazarus by Herman Falke, scj (CA)