Easter is a love story

 

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

Sunday, April 18, 2021 

Easter is a Love Story 

Lectionary # -    Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; Psalm: 4:2, 4, 7-8, 9; 1 John 2:1-5a; Luke 24:35-48

 The readings for this Third Sunday of Easter ask: Do we know the Easter story, the foundational event of our Christian faith? Do we really understand it? 

If you were to answer this question by saying it has something to do with life after death, and one day we will be reacquainted with our loved ones who have died in the life to come, you would be correct.

But this explanation falls short of what Easter really means since it is no different than those who believe in reincarnation.

But as we hear in the gospel today, even Jesus’ disciples, who witnessed the resurrection, had difficulty explaining it. For this reason, Luke in his gospel recalls how Jesus needed to unpack the mystery of Easter, dismissing their fears and misinterpretations they might have.

First, he says: Do not be terrified, I am not a ghost. He proves this by eating and drinking with them. Jesus wants them and us to know he lives and is with us. We are never alone.

Secondly, he knows his disciples are having a hard time processing what they are witnessing, so he takes the time, as he did when he was alive, to explain to them what was written about him in scripture and how out of love for all humankind he had to suffer, die.

And then he adds, as witnesses to my resurrection you are to proclaim in my name repentance and forgiveness of sins to all nations. In other words, Easter is more than believing Jesus is risen, it is that, but most importantly it is about our responsibility to proclaim God’s love for us, a love that can (1) forgive those who deny him, (2) pardon those who run from the cross, (3) excuse those who express their doubt in him, (4) and for all those who sin in anyway.

Easter is more than life after death, or a guarantee of our resurrection, it is a love story. It is a story of how God refuses to give up on us, who refuses to let go and invites us to proclaim that love to all those we meet, in words, yes, but more importantly in action.