Encountering the Living Christ: Reflections on Acts, John, and Psalm 103
May 17, 2024 - Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Acts 25:13b-21; Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab; John 21:15-19
In today's first reading, King Agrippa II, whose father executed Apostle James, the brother of John, met with Porcius Festus, the Roman procurator of Judea from about AD 59 to 62. Festus presented Paul's case to Agrippa, who was surprised to find Paul accused of no evil deeds. At the heart of the issue was "a man named Jesus who was dead, whom Paul claimed to be alive" (Acts 25:19).
We encounter the One whom Paul claimed to be alive today on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias. The risen Christ prepared breakfast for his seven disciples with fish and bread around a charcoal fire. Among them was Peter, who on the eve of Jesus’ death denied Jesus three times around a charcoal fire (see John 18:18). On the eve of Jesus’ death, the question was, “Are you one of his disciples?” On Easter morning, the question is, “Simon, do you love me?” These two questions capture the essence of discipleship.
Psalm 103, which accompanies our readings, is considered one of the pearls of the Psalter. It speaks about the love of God manifested in the forgiveness of sins, healing, prosperity, and renewal. Drawing on the Exodus tradition, the psalmist highlights two attributes of the Lord: his kindness and mercy. In Exodus 34:6, the Lord says: “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness”. In Psalm 103, the Holy Spirit declares that God’s steadfast love is “as high as the heavens are above the earth” and he removes our iniquities “as far as the east is from the west” (Ps 103:11-12).
Throughout the Gospels, we see how Jesus embodied God's kindness and mercy, particularly in the way he dealt with his disciples. After denying Jesus three times, the Lord offered Peter another chance. And on the road to Damascus, the risen Christ transformed Saul, who planned to destroy the Church, into Paul, one of his most faithful disciples. Behind that kindness and mercy lies God's love for humanity. God loves the world, so he gave his beloved Son. Jesus loves his own who are in the world to the end, and this love is expressed by his death on the cross (see John 3:16; 13:34-35). How should we respond to that love?
"Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed that Jesus asked him a third time, "Do you love me?" and he said, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you" (John 21:17). Jesus’ three questions were not intended to make Peter feel bad; they aimed to heal and forgive. Every genuine examination of conscience brings sorrow, but without acknowledging our past failures, there is no possibility for growth. And in the case of every Christian, it helps us realize that without Christ’s grace, we are prone to fail.
Porcius Festus was wrong in his statement that a man named Jesus was dead. Jesus is alive, and both Peter and Paul are witnesses to his living presence and transforming power. This statement brings to mind similar words of Pope Benedict XVI: "Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction". Let us all declare our love for Christ and proclaim the truth of Christ's resurrection.