These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, the leaders, elders, and scribes were amazed, and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus. (Acts 4:13-21)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040624.cfm
The disciples were not educated nor were they the powerful, but they were recognizable as companions of Jesus. Perhaps that is the only qualification necessary.
When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” (Jn 21:1-14)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040524.cfm
Breakfast by the Sea is one of my favorite gospel readings. Being loved by the Lord and hearing His voice opens our eyes, our ears and our hearts. The Beloved Disciple recognizes the Risen Lord whereas poor Peter is still clueless.
Jesus said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, “You are witnesses of these things.” (Lk 24:35-48)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040424.cfm
How important it is for us to know the Scriptures, for they witness to Jesus. And as the Risen Lord reminds us, we, too, are witnesses of these things!
Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. (Lk 24:13-35)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040324.cfm
Many religious communities have the custom of making an Emmaus Trip during the Octave of Easter, especially today. They read the gospel story of the two disciples on the way to Emmaus, then make a journey together, have a meal, and watch for strangers! It’s a wonderful reminder that we still know him in the Breaking of Bread.
Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, “Go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he had told her. (Jn 20:11-18)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040224.cfm
Today we finally hear the rest of the Easter Sunday gospel. Mary Magdalene thinks the Risen Lord is the gardener, until he calls her by name and she recognizes him. As the gospel tells us, the Good Shepherd calls his own by name and they follow him. For good reason the early church called Mary Magdalene the “Apostle to the Apostles” for she completes the apostolic mission to “go and tell.”
