Reflection for April 23, 2023

Third Sunday of Easter (A)

Acts 2:14, 22-33| Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 | 1 Peter 1:17-21 | Luke 24:13-35

On this Third Sunday of Easter, let us continue to focus on the awe-inspiring mystery of the Resurrection, our future life in God’s presence and Jesus' desire to revive our hopelessness. ​

There is a story about Tristan and Emily, a new couple in love. They were in a long distance relationship and Emily at the last minute demanded that Tristan jump on the next plane to get to her in time for Valentines day. Tristan was terrified of flying and had never been on a plane before, so this was something of a test of his love. So he booked the plane and with trembling hands got on the aircraft. He was flying on a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar charter flight via China Airlines. They were about half-way into his flight when their pilot’s voice came over the intercom, "This is your captain speaking. Ladies and gentlemen I feel I ought to let you know that one of our three engines has failed. There is, of course, no need for alarm. This plane is entirely airworthy flying on two engines but I regret to say we will be one hour late in arriving in Manila." One half hour later, inevitably, with that desperate calm that is reserved by air pilots for conditions of extreme emergency, the pilot of the TriStar spoke again: "This is your captain speaking. I regret that we have lost the second of our engines. But I would like to reassure you that we have every expectation of making a normal and safe landing at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. We shall, however, be three hours late in arriving. If any of you would like to take this time to make some calls the cell phone restriction has been lifted for the remainder of the flight." Upon hearing this, Tristan called Emily and said "My dear, I’m so sorry, I can’t keep my promise... we have lost two engines and we will be getting in three hours late, but that’s not the worst part... I’m afraid that if we lose this third engine I may be up here all night."

Every single day we hold onto certain kinds of expectations about ourselves, about others, and about our circumstances. A failed expectation is when you expected something that didn’t quite pan out as intended. You must have been upset when you didn't pass the board exam or didn't get the promotion. You felt frustrated for failed relationships or bankruptcy in business. Rigid attachment to our expectations can leave us feeling irritated, frustrated, or downright angry. Indeed, expectations are premeditated resentments. Our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles contains a part of the first speech of Peter delivered right after the Pentecost. Peter and most of his fellow Jews had certain expectations placed upon the Messiah. They expected a king who would restore the Israelite kingdom on earth by defeating the oppressive Roman empire. Perhaps the hardest thing for us Christians to do is to stand on our faith in God when life is not meeting our expectation. Peter and most of his fellow Jews, having encountered the Risen Lord, experienced a sudden realization or awakening to change their expectations regarding the Messiah and his mission. They are not to expect the restoration of the earthly kingdom of Israel, but a very different renewal – the restoration of humanity. 

Fr Hector was in Tayuman, Manila, several years ago, and noticed in the restaurants section of the online yellow pages, an entry for a place called Church of God Grill. The peculiar name aroused his curiosity and he dialed the number. A man answered with a cheery, “Hello! Church of God Grill!” The priest asked how that restaurant had been given such an unusual name, and the man said: “Well, we had a little mission down here, and we started selling chicken dinners after church on Sunday to help pay the bills. Well, people liked the chicken, and we did such a good business, that eventually we cut back on the church service. After a while we just closed down the church altogether and kept on serving chicken dinners. We kept the name we started with, and that’s Church of God Grill.”
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A popular myth of Christianity is that, once we come to Jesus, God will give us material comforts. The first letter of Peter reminds us that offerings of silver, gold or the blood of animals achieve nothing. Rather, reconciliation with God was accomplished by the self-sacrifice of Christ who shed his blood once and for all, with no need for any further sacrifices and offerings. Therefore, believers’ hopes and expectations must not focus on securing material and earthly prosperity, but rather be directed towards God, and keep eternal life firmly in focus. If riches were a reasonable goal for the godly, Jesus would have pursued it. He never asked his followers to do positive confession to the unbounded, limitless, overflowing abundance of God’s solar system, galaxies and universe in order to be blessed with material prosperity and security. Instead, Jesus advises that we make the smartest investment in the most secure place: Heaven. Such a life can be sustained when a Christian maintains a clear focus on his or her future life in God’s presence. Are you seeking God or gold? 

A man visited Dr. Marla Yap, a clinical psychologist and board-certified sleep medicine specialist in Manila. He was filled with anxiety and was exhausted from lack of sleep. He couldn’t eat, and he avoided his friends. Dr. Yap examined him and found that he was impressively in tip top condition. Concluding that his patient needed to laugh his way to relaxation, she told him about a circus in town and its star performer, a clown named Boyoyong. Night after night he had the people rolling in the aisles. “You must go and see him,” the doctor advised. “Boyoyong is the funniest clown in the Philippines. Expect to get belly laughs from his jokes and antics. Expect that he will cure your sadness.” “No,” replied the despairing man, “he can’t help me. you see, I am Boyoyong!”

As Luke tells the story of the two despondent disciples on the road to Emmaus, we cannot help but identify with their pain. The two were abandoning Jerusalem. All the great expectations they had developed as they saw Jesus perform miracles and teach were shattered by his cruel death. They expected him to be the Messiah who would bring liberation from the Romans, and such hope had fallen apart. Much like the two pilgrims on the road, we have been witnesses to—and participated in—a time of bitter disillusionment and profound discouragement over these past weeks and months. We grieve for the dead, have concern for the sick, and feel anxious about our own well-being and the welfare of others. This is a dark place to be at. The road to Emmaus is littered with shattered hopes and broken dreams. Like the two on the road to Emmaus, we do not travel alone. The issue is never a matter of Jesus' presence, but of their awareness of His presence. Just as the disciples walked down and felt their heart burning, Christ blessed us with the desire of Him. There are plenty of other challenges in this moment as well. It is there that the Lord is nearest...almost can’t be felt like cloth near to the skin. During their suffering, God was indeed nearby, and He allowed their pain to continue until their own personal desires and failed expectations no longer held them captive. The Road to Emmaus is a road that we all travel. We at times feel disheartened, our hopes seem low, and we may feel distant from God. Be aware that he is walking with you on your journey. You don’t have to walk alone. No matter what happens, he will be with you. Let your heart open up and see Jesus with you and invite him to stay with you. 

Lord, open my eyes by your grace that I may see you today. Amen. 

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