My friends, in these troubling times when “babies in the faith” are challenging those schooled for years in Christian teaching and practice, “to be careful when speaking theologically,” we as Jesus’ followers find ourselves, at times, at loose ends!  And, if that is the case, during this Easter Season of faith, hope, love and promise of life eternal, the readings for this 3^rd Sunday of Easter should give us comfort. 

   The Acts of the Apostles, thought to have been written by the physician, Luke, for the Gentiles, is basically an instruction for those who didn’t physically know Jesus, and that includes us, about how our loving God has worked throughout history, culminating in the wonderful life – ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus, letting us all know how mightily we are loved. 

   In today’s 1^st reading then, from the Acts, Luke picks up on a piece of that history, through the Old Testament figure of David, with his words, “You have shown me the paths of life – you will fill me with joy in your presence.”  Yes, this should give us comfort in these troubling times of war and strife, meanness and power-over-actions, rather than power “with and for.”

   The fact that we are never alone to contend with what life brings, is continued in the psalm choices from #16 today – “You will show me the path that leads to life.”  From time to time, I include in the Prayers of the Faithful, an ask that we try each day, or at least often, to be in contact with this God who loves us, in an over-the-top way, and to do that in whatever way works best for us.  I recall a former Hospice patient of mine telling me he found God best when out in is boat, fishing. 

   If we do make it a habit to be in contact often with our God, in the ways that are meaningful to us; in quiet prayer, walking outdoors – appreciating the beauty all around us, in people, animals, in nature, we will be able to hear God’s words, “showing us the path,” through the people given for that purpose, such as the pope in recent days, as he preaches the gospel. 

   We might wonder at times, in the milieu of so many words, which ones we should listen to, which ones can be considered from God.  I have always believed, and through time realized, that the truth lies in goodness, in peace, in works of love and caring for others.  If these attributes are present, then yes, this is of God.  But, we must realize, acting on these messages of love and peace will not always be easy, as Pope Leo has become aware of lately.

   The psalmist continues today, “You [God] give me all that I need…my life is in your hands.”  In other words, in our faith, God, Jesus our brother, is always near. 

   In the 2^nd reading from Peter today, we are assured of Jesus’ nearness, and encouraged, “to conduct [o]urselves reverently during our sojourn [here]…[because] “it is through Christ that [we] became believers…[and our] faith and hope are centered in God.” 

   I believe we, my friends, are like the first believers in Jesus, who, even though willing, are afraid, and feel unable to speak the truth in our world, as Pope Leo has recently, and our prayer, like theirs so long ago, is the same, “stay with us” [God!]

   The beautiful gospel today, again from Luke, who serves now in his other capacity, relaying the conversation between Jesus and the believers, on the way to Emmaus, assures us of the fact that indeed, we are not alone.  We learn though, that we must have eyes, ears, and hearts open, if like those post-Easter travelers, we are to recognize Jesus when he is present.

   Again, with this story, we come to see that Jesus won’t be recognized necessarily in “human flesh and blood,” in a static way, but through action.”  The Scripture tells us today, “They came to know him, in the breaking of the bread” – an action that he had done with them many times before.  In other words, the “Eucharist,”  something that we do together, each time we meet here, is reverential of an action Jesus, our brother, first did, to prepare us, not to worship him, but to become his “body, his blood,” through us, acting in our world. 

   This gospel, probably more than any other in our Scriptures should tell us in no uncertain terms, that to spend time in Eucharistic sojourns across our country, worshipping mere elements, which seem to be the trend, these last few years, while ignoring the “real presence” in immigrants, LGBTQ sisters and brothers, Trans people, original natives in our country, anyone without a white complexion, seems, somehow, just plain wrong!   “Eucharist,” I believe, was always meant to be a “verb,” not a noun! 

   So, my friends, the message seems clear, we are Easter people, called to action, in the footsteps of our brother Jesus.  Amen? Amen!  Alleluia!