3rd Sunday of Easter

Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41
Rev 5:11-14
Jn 21:1-19

We like to talk. We especially like to talk about things we like. We like to talk about things that move us in some way. When you’ve seen a really good movie, you want to talk about it. You want to tell people how good it is, you want to urge them to go and see the movie, because it is so good, so moving, so important. When you have had a particularly good meal at a restaurant, you talk about it, you want others to know just how good that restaurant is, you want them to go there and experience what you experienced. We do this almost compulsively, we can’t help ourselves. We have to tell people about these good things.
That’s the position the Apostles find themselves n in the first reading today. They have experienced the Good News of Jesus Christ, and they cannot contain themselves. They have to talk about him. They have to stop every person they see and tell them about the Good News of Jesus life, death and resurrection. Hey find themselves dragged before the Sanhedrin, in trouble. They had already been told to stop preaching in that man’s name, but they can’t stop. As soon as they leave the court, despite this second admonition they begin to speak of Jesus again.
We like to talk. We tell people about restaurants, movies, books, television shows, sometimes even when they don’t want to hear it. We like to talk, but how much do we like to talk about the Good News that we share with those Apostles? I’m not saying that you need to stand on a street corner and shout to passing strangers. I’m not saying that you need to buttonhole everyone you meet and press the Good news on them. We should not be pests, but we should also not be afraid. When we have the chance to speak about our faith, about the Good News of Jesus, do we speak, or do we stand silent? We can be excited about a movie or a meal, so excited that we have to talk about it. How can we not be excited by Jesus, by the resurrection, by eternal life? The Apostles and all those who followed were excited enough to make sure the Good News was spread. They could not contain themselves, they could not be silent so exhilarating was the message they carried. They could not, would not be quiet, how, then, can we?

Deacon John
3rd Sunday of Easter
April 22, 2007