By Father Paul Nord, O.S.B.
Sunday Scripture
First Reading: Acts 2:14, 22-33; Responsorial: Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11; Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:17-21; Gospel: Luke 24:13-35
This reading from Acts begins with Peter addressing his fellow Jews in Jerusalem. In Acts 2:15-21, Peter begins by citing the prophet Joel (3:1-5). This citation is omitted by today’s reading, but Joel prophesies: “‘It will come to pass in the last days,’ God says, ‘that I will pour out a portion of my spirit upon all flesh.’” With this, Peter announces the arrival of “the day of the Lord.” This was the phrase used by the Israelite prophets to describe the arrival of God’s kingdom of justice and peace. On that day, God would powerfully pour out his Spirit to renew the earth and his people — the prophets foretold. Peter announces to the people of Jerusalem that “the day of the Lord” has arrived!
Next, Peter speaks of Jesus, whom — Peter reminds them — “you killed, using lawless men to crucify him.” Peter announces to them that Jesus has risen from the dead by God’s power. In recalling Jesus’ violent death, Peter’s purpose is not confrontation, but rather he is calling them to repent of their sin. Peter lovingly calls them “brothers” (2:29). “When they heard this, they were cut to the heart … Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day” (2:37-41).
Peter then cites Psalm 16:8-11: “I saw the Lord ever before me…” (Acts 2:25-28). Peter cites these as the words of King David — considered the author of the psalms. Peter interprets the psalm’s line “my flesh, too, will dwell in hope” (Acts 2:26) as referring to Jesus, a descendant of David. Peter argues that this line cannot refer to David himself since David is dead and buried. Instead, Peter says that David was prophesying that Christ’s flesh would not see corruption following death. Instead, Jesus rose to new life. Peter justifies this by noting that Christ is descended from David according to the flesh, and by recalling God’s promise that he “would set one of (David’s) descendants upon his throne.”
Today’s Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 16) was cited by Peter in our Acts Reading. Peter cited Psalm 16:8-11: “I set the LORD ever before me…” (second stanza of today’s Responsorial Psalm). This first verse (8) describes seeking God through difficulty. In verses 9-10 (third stanza), the speaker rejoices in God’s protective care. He has complete confidence that God will protect “my body/flesh.” God will not allow it to “undergo corruption” nor will God “abandon my soul to the netherworld.” This prayer trusts God’s power to give life and preserve life — body and soul.
Peter (Acts 2) understands these verses to be a prophecy of King David about his descendant according to the flesh, the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Peter sees Jesus’ resurrection from the dead as a fulfillment of this psalm, seen as a prophetic text.
The fourth stanza expresses trust that God “will show me the path to life.” It joyfully anticipates entering into God’s presence and remaining at God’s “right hand forever.” When Peter witnessed Jesus’ victory over death, Peter recognized this psalm as prophetically fulfilled.
Next, the first letter of Peter reflects on God’s judgment of humanity. Christ taught his disciples to call God “our Father.” Thus “conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning” — that is, during this earthly life. Showing due reverence to God our Father, you can trust he “judges impartially.” Further, you will be thankful that “you were ransomed from your futile conduct.”
To “ransom” someone is to pay a price for their freedom or release from punishment. But you were ransomed “with the precious blood of Christ” — his death on the cross. You were not ransomed “with perishable things like silver or gold.” Here “perishable” emphasizes that every earthly thing will soon pass away. This life is only a “sojourn” — a temporary stay which precedes eternal life with God. The text compares Christ to the Passover lamb, which Exodus 12:5 requires to be “unblemished.” The Letter to the Hebrews (9:14) similarly describes Jesus as an “unblemished” sacrifice.
Luke 24 begins “at daybreak on the first day of the week” (24:1). At daybreak, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Joanna go to Jesus’ tomb but find it empty. Distraught, they relayed this news to the apostles, but they were not believed.
Next, Luke 24:13 describes another event happening “that very (same) day.” “Two of Jesus’ disciples are journeying from Jerusalem to Emmaus,” when Jesus draws near and walks with them.” But they do not recognize Jesus. So they tell him about the events of Jesus’ crucifixion, and how they had received astonishing news of his tomb being empty and angels announcing “that he was alive.”
Upon their arrival in Emmaus, the disciples invite Jesus to stay with them, noting that “it is nearly evening.” Jesus stays, but then reveals himself to them through the blessing and breaking of bread — the Eucharist. In his revealing, Jesus immediately “vanished from their sight.” Thus, the disciples immediately “set out” and “returned to Jerusalem.” This was still the same day, “the first day of the week.” When they finally arrived in Jerusalem, it must have been quite late. They found Jesus’ eleven apostles gathered together. They testify to Jesus’ appearance to them “on the road to Emmaus.”
Today’s Gospel reading ends there, but the next verse must be noted: “While they were still speaking about this, (Jesus) stood in their midst and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’” Jesus thus appears again, now to his apostles in Jerusalem, at the end of that long “first day of the week.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, that is, Old Testament readings which Jesus fulfills (Luke 24:45). Similarly, Jesus had explained his fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets to the two disciples walking to Emmaus (24:25-27).
Thus that “first day of the week” (Sunday) began at daybreak with the women at the empty tomb and ended with Jesus appearing twice — first at Emmaus, and then at Jerusalem late in the evening.