Reflection on Readings for the Third Sunday of Easter 15 April 2018

Photo by Shalone Cason on Unsplash

 Acts 3:13-15,17-19; Psalm 4; 1 John 2:1-5a; Luke 24:32; Luke 24:35-48
"For these, and all my sins which I cannot now remember, I am truly sorry [...]" —Anglican Act of Contrition

Last week we learned that we show love to God by keeping his commandments. This week we learn that we can only know God if we keep his commandments, and that the only way we can keep his commandments is if we "repent [and are] converted so that [our] sins may be wiped away. (Acts 3:19)

Repenting is tough, especially in some ways with the little sins, the sins that don't seem to matter all that much. If I'm uncharitable towards someone on Twitter or if I'm curt with someone for disappointing me when I confided in them, it's easy for me to say, "Oh well, those sins are probably venial."

And they probably are. But Jesus didn't say, "Be flawed, but only in ways that aren't a big deal." He said, "Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48) He forbad calling your brother a fool (Matthew 5:22) and commanded us through St. Paul not to let the sun go down on our anger. (Ephesians 4:26.)

His commandments include the little things, the things we can do today and forget about tomorrow or next week. We all need to repent, no matter how often we've done so before.

However, I do find the Gospel reading quite comforting. Of course it's desirable for us to know Jesus, but  Jesus makes it so clear that he is eager for us to know him. He shows the disciples his hands and feet repeatedly. He eats fish to prove he really has risen from the dead and isn't a ghost. He wants them to touch him if that will convince them that he is really there, he's not a phantom.

Not matter how hard it can seem to follow his commandments, we know that he's eager for us to get to know him. He wants us to know the truth. He's there and he will help us. We have only to cooperate with him, to do what we should do anyway, and he'll be right there with us because he loves us and has always loved us more than we can imagine.

What are your thoughts on the readings this week? Please share them in the comments down below.

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