A Post-Easter Reflection

By Norm McGraw

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/043022.cfm
Acts 6:1-7
John 6:16-21

Recently, a very good friend of mine, a non-Christian, told me that he found Easter, the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus, a puzzling religious holiday. After all, he remarked, God had already raised Lazarus from the dead. He had shown “the reality of his presence,” so to speak. So why would God “do it” again?

In some ways, this week’s readings are the Church’s delayed reaction to Easter. We’re still trying to grasp the significance of celebrating the Resurrection less than two weeks ago. God cared for us so much that He sent His only Begotten Son to accept the burden of all our sins, die in one of most gruesome ways imaginable (crucifixion), and then be resurrected to join the Father.

The second reading (John 6: 16-21) re-enforces the majesty of God’s presence. Sandwiched between the miracle of Jesus feeding the five thousand with five barley loaves and two fish and his telling the apostles that he, Jesus, is “the bread of life,” this reading describes his walking on water.

In the evening after the miracles of feeding the five thousand, Jesus walks across a rough sea to his disciples in a boat. “It is I,” he says. “Do not be afraid.” They gladly receive him.

The first reading, from the Acts of the Apostles, focuses not on the majesty of God’s power. Rather, it looks at our mission as Christians to spread the word of God.

Acts 6: 1-7 states that “the Hellenist (Greek speaking Jews) complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.” As the reading continues, we realize that the passage is concerned with more than the widows of the Greek speaking Jews in the early Christian communities not getting their daily allotment of food. That’s because a later passage in the chapter states, “We will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word.” The ministry of the word is significant.

A clearer example of God’s word is presented in the gospel of John following Jesus’ walking on water. At John 6: 36, Jesus states, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall not thirst.” Later in the chapter, He states, “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks upon the Son, and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

In fact, the responsorial hymn today re-enforces our belief in the Almighty when we say that we “place our trust in you.” 

So, when I reflect upon all of this, I would answer my friend’s question of why God would “do it” (the Resurrection) with this simple, honest response.

Because He really loves us.