Third Sunday of Easter Acts 3: 12-19 Luke 24: 36b-48

There are many causes for us to enter into shock. A sudden surprise gift, an unexpectedly high bill arriving, a most unlikely person appearing on your doorstep. This morning, in the gospel reading from Luke, we read how the disciples were startled and terrified at the appearance of Jesus. He was dead. He was the last person that they would expect to stand before them.

Jesus saw their state and said to them to reassure them, ‘Look at my hands and feet; touch me and see’. He showed them his hands and feet where the marks of his crucifixion would be very evident. The disciples were still a little unsure and Jesus could see this. He asked for something to eat. He was given some broiled fish which he ate in their presence.

The disciples were still perturbed. This could not be happening. Jesus, their teacher, set about explaining everything to them. Right from the beginning he set the scene and worked his way forwards. He finished by saying, ‘repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations’.

Jesus then ‘opened their minds’ so that they could understand the events leading up to his death on the Cross. He said, ‘You are witnesses of these things’. The disciples were to leave Jerusalem and to preach to all nations in the name of Jesus. The message – repentance and forgiveness of sins.

It was an urgent task for the disciples. The upper room was not to be the ending place of their encounter with Jesus. Rather it would be the beginning. Here the Church was being born and sent out to every nation. Here is the world-wide mission of the Church. Behind them are the days of sorrow, the days of depression. Instead, the days of joy and happiness are being launched.

Those days continued throughout the following centuries, right up to today. We do not know of the date and time of the Second Coming of the Lord. What we do know is that we need to be prepared. Our souls must be cleansed from sin, we need to have repented before the Lord. Then we can join with all of the Church, in shouting with joy, of the Resurrection of Christ. In so doing we are joining with all of the Church in taking the message forward.

Alleluia Christ is Risen! Alleluia

Collect for the Third Sunday of Easter

Almighty Father,

who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples with the sight of the risen Lord:

give us such knowledge of his presence with us,

that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life

and serve you continually in righteousness and truth;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.