Welcome to our Bible Study

4 May 20143rd Sunday of Easter A

In preparation for this Sunday’s LiturgyIn aid of focusing our homilies and sharing

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

1st reading: Acts 2:14,22-33

Introduction 14 Then Peter stood

up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them, "You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and listen to my words. 22 You who are Israelites, hear these words.

Commentary Peter is the spokesman of the apostles. He

speaks on behalf of the apostles, whenever Jesus asks them questions.

Now, Peter boldly stands up before the people.

The once fisherman now works as a preacher.

He proclaims the one whom he denied thrice.

In parallel form, he addresses himself to the Jews in Jerusalem// Israelites.

The content of his preaching is none other than Jesus, the Nazorean (of Nazareth, in Galilee).

1st reading: Acts 2:14,22-33 The Content of the Kerygma

(preaching) Jesus the Nazorean was a

man commended to you by God with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs, which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know. 23 This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed, using lawless men to crucify him. 24 But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it.

How does Peter present Jesus to the Jews // Israelites, who object to who Jesus is? A man commended (attested) to

you by God Through him, God worked

miracles (mighty deeds, wonders and signs) v.22

This man you killed, you crucified. V.23

In contrast, God raised him up, releasing him from death.

The content of the kerygma is the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Please read text with the commentary.

David on the Messiah 25 For David says of him: 'I

saw the Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. 26 Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted; my flesh, too, will dwell in hope, 27 because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.'

In v.25, Peter interprets what David says of him.

David has seen Jesus. As a result, David will not be

disturbed. His heart glad His tongue exults His flesh dwells in hope, v.26

In parallel form, the Lord / Jesus will not allow David to go to limbo or experience corruption. V.27

V.28 continues to affirm what God / Jesus does to David To make known the paths of life To fill me with joy in your presence.

29 My brothers, one can confidently say to you about the patriarch David that he died and was buried, and his tomb is in our midst to this day. 30 But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses.

In v.29, Peter continues his preaching. He considers David as a patriarch (strange!), who died and was buried (like Christ).

In v.30, Peter considers David as a prophet, who knows one of his descendants would seat upon his throne.

David anticipates the resurrection of Christ (=Messiah).

Abandonment to the netherworld in v.31 is a repetition of v.27.

V.32 reinforces the resurrection of Jesus.

Also in v.32, Peter reiterates that he and the other disciples are witnesses (‘martyres’) to the resurrection of Jesus.

33 Exalted at the right hand of God, he received the promise of the holy Spirit from the Father and poured it forth, as you (both) see and hear.

The risen Lord is now exalted in heaven.

He is rewarded with the Holy Spirit, which is now evidently poured forth at Pentecost.

The apostles first receive the Holy Spirit before they engage in preaching about Jesus.

Reflections on the 1st reading

In this Easter season, we must center our lives on Christ.

Like Peter, we must talk about what happened to Jesus, his passion, death and resurrection.

Resp. Psalm 16:1-2,5,7-8, 9-11 R. (11a) Lord, you will show us the path of life.

1 Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;2 I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.”5 O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,you it is who hold fast my lot.

7 I bless the LORD who counsels me;even in the night my heart exhorts me.8 I set the LORD ever before me;with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.

9 Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence;10 because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.

11 You will show me the path to life,abounding joy in your presence,the delights at your right hand forever.

Resp. Psalm 16:1-2,5,7-11 R. (11a) Lord, you will show us the path

of life.1 Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;2 I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.”5 O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,you it is who hold fast my lot.

7 I bless the LORD who counsels me;even in the night my heart exhorts me.8 I set the LORD ever before me;with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.

9 Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence;10 because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.

11 You will show me the path to life,abounding joy in your presence,the delights at your right hand forever.

Commentary In vv.1-2, the psalmist

prays to God for protection. In v.5, the psalmist

acknowledges God as the one who strengthens him.

In vv.7-8, the psalmist blesses God for his wise counsel and makes him present in his life.

V.9 gives the result in trusting God: gladness and joy; confidence

V.10 acknowledges God, who save the faithful from death and corruption.

In God, there is always life and joy. V.11

Reflections on the Psalm Like the psalmist, when we are in trouble, we

should put our lives in the hands of God. We must trust in his powerful intervention. We must rejoice and celebrate in anticipation of

his power and protection. Christians must develop a spirituality that puts

God first, secondary is one’s own ability and wisdom.

Do you take recourse in God when you are in trouble?

Or, do you say, “I can manage. I don’t need God.”

2nd reading: 1 Peter 1:17-21

17 If you invoke as Father him who judges impartially according to each one's works, conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning, 18 realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold 19 but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb. 20 He was known before the foundation of the world but revealed in the final time for you, 21 who through him believe in God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

The focus is on the proper conduct of Christians.

2nd reading: 1 Peter 1:17-21 17 If you invoke as

Father him who judges impartially according to each one's works, conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning, 18 realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold 19 but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb.

Commentary V.17 opens the sentence with an “if”

(conditional clause). The author says to us, Christians, that the

Father judges according to our deeds, not according to his whims.

If we invoke him (pray to him, ask him a favor), we have to conduct ourselves with reverence (respect).

We are still in transit. V.18 says Christians are ransomed from

their futile conduct (useless rituals). We are not ransomed with precious

metals, but with the precious blood of Christ. V.19

Jesus paid a great price for our redemption.

Jesus is the perfect sacrifice, the perfect ransom for our sins.

2nd reading: 1 Peter 1:17-21 20 He was known before

the foundation of the world but revealed in the final time for you, 21 who through him believe in God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

V.20 indicates Christ’s eternity (beginning and end).

He has been here since the creation (genesis) and will be revealed at the end of time (eschaton).

In v.21, we believe in God through Christ.

We believe in God, who raised Jesus from the dead.

God gave him glory. All these God has done that

we may have faith and hope in God.

Reflections on the 2nd reading

If we recognize God as our Father, then we have to behave accordingly as his children.

We must fear (revere) God for he judges according to our deeds.

His judgment is not clouded by favoritism. We must realize that his Son, Jesus, has paid a great

price for our salvation. Christ is the perfect ransom for our sins, he is more

precious than metals. How do you show your appreciation to God’s

great act?

Gospel reading: Luke 24:13-35 13 That very day, the

first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, 14 and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. 15 And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, 16 but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.

Commentary The setting is on a Sunday afternoon.

(before sundown) The two disciples are not ordinary

men on the street. They know many things about Jesus. They are learned. They analyze. They are going back to Emmaus, a

two or three hour walk from Jerusalem. They are discouraged and confused.

As they walk, they converse, they debate.

In the midst of their heated discussion, Jesus draws near and walks with them.

But they do not recognize him.

17 He asked them, "What are you discussing as you walk along?" They stopped, looking downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?" 19 And he replied to them, "What sort of things?"

In v.17, Jesus asks as if he does not know anything.

He wants them to articulate their concerns.

They stop, looking sad. They don’t answer his question right

away. In v.18, Cleopas seems to even

ridicule him in his response. He tells him that he seems to be the

only visitor who does not know the recent events in Jerusalem.

In v.19, Jesus follows up his question.

He wants to draw out something from their experiences.

They said to him, "The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. 21 But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel;

In vv.19-20, they start answering his question.

The happenings, the events in Jerusalem, center on Jesus of Nazareth. He is known to be a prophet Mighty in deed and word

before God and people The chief priests and rulers

(elders) handed him over to death, by crucifying him.

They manipulated the people to kill him.

In v.21, the two disciples express their nationalistic hope on Jesus. To redeem Israel, to free

with a ransom (has a religious meaning).

and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place.

22 Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning 23 and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. 24 Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see."

V.21. Just a little commentary on “the third day” which is always problematic to some. 1) Fri 3pm = Friday (1st day) 2) Fri 6pm = Saturday/Sabbath (2nd day) 3) Sat/Sabbath 6 pm = Sunday (3rd day)

The Jewish day starts in the evening at sundown.

Friday at 6 PM is already Saturday for them. Don’t reckon days by 24 hours.

V.22 acknowledges the role of the women disciples in the newsbreaking. We are led to conclude that the disciples are not only men.

The women are first to discover the risen Lord: They do not find his body in the tomb. They report to the men about the vision

of angels, who announce he is alive. V.23 The apostles go to the tomb also to verify the

report of the women. The women are not lying.

25 And he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! 26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures.

In v.25, it is the turn of Jesus to interpolate after they recount everything they know.

He shocks them by saying, “How foolish / stupid you are.” (Ang hahangal ninyo, mga tanga, bubo!) Very strong words indeed!

Knowledge of facts and details are not enough to see the truth.

They don’t know how to interpret what they know, because they are slow to or don’t believe the words of the prophets.

V.26 affirms the necessity of the Messiah to undergo the paschal mystery (passion-death and resurrection).

In v.27, Jesus explains to them the scriptures, all that refers to him.

The risen Lord takes time to interpret (hermeneuein) the scriptures.

The disciples need to put their experience into its proper perspective.

28 As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. 29 But they urged him, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. 30 And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. 31 With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. 32 Then they said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning (within us) while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?"

V.28 signals the second part of the story, “as they approached the village…”

It cuts off / shortens the explanations of Jesus on the bible.

Now it is time for the author to introduce another concern.

It is totally different from the first part. The author does this by making Jesus

give the impression he still has a long way to go.

In v.29, the two disciples strongly urge him to stay with them.

The reason: it is almost dark. It is dangerous to travel in the dark.

Jesus obliges. In v.30, Jesus takes the initiative to

repeat the Last Supper. V.31 reports that their eyes are opened

(open up completely) and they recognize him (come to know him).

V.32 expresses their feelings deep within when Jesus was still speaking.

33 So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them 34 who were saying, "The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!" 35 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.

V.33 relates the two men going back to Jerusalem.

Without being told, they feel the urge to report to the brethren in Jerusalem.

In v.34, the brethren confirms the resurrection of Jesus and his appearance to Peter.

In v.35, the two disciples narrate to them what happened as they were going home and what transpired when they ate supper.

The last verse gives emphasis on the recognition of Jesus through the breaking of the bread.

Outline of the gospel reading

Vv.13-27 (to the village) It starts with “two were

going to the village” Vv.13-16 sad,

debating, Jesus appears, walks with them, no recognition

Vv.17-19 questioning and answering

Vv.19b-21 greatness of Jesus, his passion and death

Vv.21b-24 the resurrection

Vv.24-27 “foolish” and interpretation

Vv.28-32 (in the village) It continues “ as they

approached the village”

V.28-29 going further, staying with them

Vv.30-31 breaking of the bread, recognition

V.32 expresses their feeling while Jesus was explaining. Here we get a glimpse that something was happening already when Jesus was explaining.

vv.33-35 (from the village)

•v.33 The return to Jerusalem to report to the brethren.

•vv.33-34 the brethren first report to them Jesus’ appearance

•v.35 the retelling of the story on the way and in the house

Part I Part II Part III

Reflections on the gospel reading

The gospel reading is a story of the journey of faith.

The story contains many other journeys: From sadness to joy (rejoicing) From non-recognition (eyes closed) to recognition

(eyes opened) From arguing with their minds (reasoning) to listening

and celebrating (believing and faith). From dispersion to gathering again. From just a nationalistic concern to a higher concern

(proclamation of his resurrection).

Do you take on your journey alone? without companions, without Jesus?

Do you recognize Jesus (or his ministers) as a co-journeyer, explainer and interpreter?

Are you led to the participation in the banquet of his Word and Sacrament?

Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm

The first reading talks about the kerygma with the emphasis of the resurrection of Jesus. God raises him for God does not allow him to undergo corruption.

The psalm says God does not let his faithful undergo corruption.

The second reading talks about the proper behavior of Christians, because we are transformed through the merit of Jesus’ resurrection.

The gospel reading is centered on the resurrection of Jesus in his word and his sacrament.

How to develop your homily / sharing We put our hopes on people, who can help us.

We spend our fortune to approach them. Yet many times, we are discouraged when we

do not get the help from them. We go back to our places disillusioned. Life becomes worse. There is no return in our

investments. We are more indebted than before. That’s what the disciples feel when they are

going back to Emmaus. They are going home because the one they had

hoped would liberate and save them is dead.

But for Jesus, their effort to follow him as their leader, master and messiah has not been wasted.

They must understand the meaning of the events. So Jesus has to explain the scriptures.

Maybe this time, after they have been hurt, intimidated and discouraged, they are more receptive.

True enough, even if they are scolded by Jesus, they keep listening to him. They invite him to stay with them in the house for the night (hoping to hear more from him). They care for him whom they don’t recognize yet. His light is shining and is burning their hearts.

We, too, like the disciples, must be keen on what God is telling us.

We must discern his will, as we journey with him in faith.

We must be open to his inspiration. Once we see the light, like the disciples,

we too must share it with others.

In the first reading, the apostles preach the Risen Lord.

With wisdom and courage, they explain to the people who Jesus is.

They are giving witness to their faith. Their lights are burning.

The second reading deepens the message of the resurrection.

Peter, the author, teaches that our salvation (our resurrections) did not come so cheaply.

Christ paid a high price by shedding his blood. Christian believers must revere and fear God

and be thankful to him. We must take God seriously. We should live

moral lives.

In our churches, we find co-journeyers, looking for light and consolation.

As enlightened people, we must show our solidarity with them.

Let God make us his instruments in finding meaning in their lives.

Let us not allow them to find substitutes for Christ (like worldly pleasure, prohibited substances, gambling, etc.)

In the eucharist, Jesus accompanies us in our journey.

In the eucharist, Jesus shows his solidarity with us, who are still groping to see the light, to live in the truth, to make sense out of our discouragements.

We recognize him in the breaking of the bread (eucharist).

In the eucharist, God calls us to share in his mission.

Our Context of Sin and Grace Slow to learn, to

believe Hard headed, stupid Loners Isolated, too

independent Does not need

guidance Contented with

substitutes

Knows how to interpret Take things with faith Listens to the Word of God Bible Study Participates in the eucharist Docile to teachers and

formators Community builder Facilitator Good guide

Suggested Songs

Light