This third Sunday of Easter we have an explanation of the purpose of Easter and the entire paschal events. St. Luke, the author of this weeks gospel, Explains the reason why our Lord Jesus died and rose from the dead. Jesus really died, and Jesus really rose from the dead! In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Peter tells the community again that Jesus really died, was put to death through their actions by asking to release a known prisoner in exchange for Jesus’ life. He DID rise and he (Peter) is an eye witness. Peter though understands that it was out of ignorance that this awful exchange occurred. Here is the best part of the story repentance and conversion are always possible no matter what. Let’s listen “Now I know, brothers, that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did; but God has thus brought to fulfillment what he had announced beforehand through the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer. Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away.” Never underestimate hope and conversion with God! As a priest, I witness first hand those who have turned from their ways and rechosen the Lord. I see this in people that have fallen from the faith because of some misunderstanding from the past, in young couples who want to be married in church and realize it’s time to change and return home to Jesus, in times of extreme illness when there is no where else to turn except to Jesus and in the sacrament of Reconciliation which offers a personal encounter with the risen Jesus. That great song we sing called “Amazing Grace” describes what God‘s grace can do to us once baptized, in pulling us toward Him. It’s almost like a magnetic field that once we cooperate and align ourselves, there is and immediate pull with no turning back. A poet named Francis Thompson (18591907) wrote an 182 line poem entitled “The Hound of Heaven.” It describes someone trying to hide from God and run, but that God‘s love is so strong He will keep ‘hounding’ us until He finds us no matter where we try and hide. This is a small excerpt. “But with unhurrying chase, and unperturbed pace, Deliberate speed, majestic instancy, They beatand a Voice beat more instant than the Feet (God speaking) “things betray thee, who betrayest Me.” Remember, you can run from God, but you can’t hide He loves you too much to let you go. Think about it! Fr. Roach
