'Why are you troubled':
Accepting Jesus' peace

		Living the Scriptures  with St. Paul University  Catholic Center  Gayle Westfahl

Jesus shows himself to the group of disciples for the first time since his death and resurrection. Their beloved friend, teacher, and Lord, whom they have been grieving for, is standing before them, and are they happy? Excited? Nope - startled and terrified.

I have to admit, there are many times when my reaction to God is one of surprise and/or fear. And many times I'm troubled and questions arise in my heart. Jesus may be standing next to me saying, "Peace be with you," but I'm freaking out with his disciples.

I am in good company. John writes in the second reading, "Whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him." Is there anyone you have known who has shown you such kindness, mercy, joy, or love that you just have to wonder where it came from?

Third Sunday of Easter (April 30, 2006) Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 Ps 4:2, 4, 7-8, 9 1 Jn 2:1-5a Lk 24:35-48

I have been blessed to know several people who, through observation, I know place strong value in a relationship with God and knowing his Word. As I witness this desire to know Christ more fully and simultaneously experience their generosity and patience, I cannot help but suppose that the two things are closely related.

If God were mean and spiteful, it would not make sense that someone seeking to live more like him is kind and merciful. These people are to me what Jesus said: "You are witnesses of these things."

Peter understood that he was witness: "God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses." Peter, and we, are witnesses of God's integrity. "The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our Fathers, has glorified his servant, Jesus . . ."

The God who raised up Jesus is the same God we have known all along. "I know, brothers, that you acted out of ignorance," (Remember "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do"), "but God has thus brought to fulfillment that which he had announced beforehand . . ."

Jesus wanted his disciples to understand that the recent events were not apart from the Lord they had come to know; in fact, it was quite the opposite. Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

	Reflection questions • Who, in your experience, has left you amazed in their capacity to love? • Do you know where the scriptures foretell Jesus' suffering and resurrection?

Witnesses, the Scriptures, and also "the two disciples recounted . . . how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of the bread." Jesus offers several ways for us to grow in knowledge of him and his Father this Easter season.

May we recognize Jesus' presence and these opportunities before us and grow, so that in the future when we are terrified or troubled, our response to his offer of peace may be more like the psalmist's: "as soon as I lie down, I fall peacefully asleep, for you alone, O Lord, bring security to my dwelling."

Gayle Westfahl is active in music ministry at St. Paul University Catholic Center on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus and is a member of the Graduate Student/Young Professional Leadership Team.

St. Paul's Web site is www.stpaulscc.org

Faith Alive!

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