Third Sunday of Easter • Year C
Think back for a moment to the creation story in the Book of Genesis at the beginning of the Bible. “Then God said, ‘Let there be light, and there was light.’” We note that when God speaks, God’s words not only impart information. They also cause action: “and there was light.” Something happens! In the gospel story, Jesus is not only forgiving Peter. He is also empowering Peter to love with a self-sacrificing love. To love God above all things and to love his neighbor as himself. Jesus, Word of God, makes things come to be by his words!
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time • Year B
In the gospel story, Jesus told the cured man to tell no one anything, but to show himself to the priest. Sure, we know that the man was made clean of his leprosy. But something else happened in his encounter with Jesus. The man was touched by God. Let me say that again: The man was touched by God. And the need to show himself to the priest is a reminder of this. What did God do to this man? We don’t know because instead of telling no one anything the man went away and publicized the whole matter. I hope he found out. He was cured, but some other kind of healing took place because of God’s love. Such love always changes us. He became more like God.