Peter’s Psalm of testimony
April 26, 2020
THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
Acts 2:14, 22-33
Peter’s Easter message
Ps 16:1-3, 7-11
Peter’s Psalm of testimony
1 Pt 1:17-21
God raised him from the dead
Lk 24:13-45
On the Road to Emmaus
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/042620.cfm
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In the Gospels, and Acts of the Apostles, it becomes apparent that Peter was a crucial factor in the days after the Resurrection. We see that reflected today in the first reading. Peter is the one who speaks for the rest. In addition, this year the second reading for the season will be be taken from 1 Peter, a letter most likely a composition of one of his followers.
Today we also see the first example of a speech Peter will give repeatedly in the coming chapters. It has a shape of a creed, and has come to be known as his kerygma speech. The Greek word “kerygma” means “proclamation” and contributes an image of the herald’s cry. The credal pattern of Peter’s kerygma remains the same — “Jesus of Nazareth was baptized by John, did works and wonders, was crucified, and was raised by God, all according to the Scriptures. We are the witnesses. You must repent and be baptized.” This basic formula will reappear in some form in chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10 of Acts. In a couple of cases, it is very brief. But it is there.
In todays account from Acts 2, the phrase “according to the scriptures” is elaborated into a full-blown quotation of Psalm 16. It is for this reason that the same psalm is chosen for today’s response.
The kerygma constitutes Peter’s claim to be a witness to the resurrection of Christ. It in turn becomes the linchpin of the Gospel message. The witness to the resurrection leads to the affirmation of the death of Jesus, to counter the accusation that he did not really die, and the resurrection was a ruse. The gospel of Matthew, for instance, is aware of such an accusation, and rebuts it. The account of Jesus’ death leads into a fuller account of his mile of ministers, of which his death was a consistent extension. And with that we have the gospel story.
The Gospel reading for today is the famous Emmaus story from Luke’s Gospel. This Easter story has provided a title for many institutions in the Christian world. Emmaus is almost a tag line.
But here I will only point out one aspect, aligning it with the other readings for the day. Luke relates the Emmaus event in a way that reflects liturgical concerns. When we look at the account more closely, we notice that it begins with a Liturgy of the Word — on the road, as Jesus explains the Scriptures. “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?”
This is followed by a Liturgy of the Eucharist at the inn where they were staying, when “they recognized him in the breaking of the bread.”
But there is more. The liturgy of the word has the shape of the kerygma speeches of Peter. This is no surprise, since Luke authored Acts as well as this Gospel. Notice how when questioned by the mysterious stranger on the road, the disciples, Cleopas and companion, work their way through the various points. “Jesus the Nazarene, a prophet mighty in deed and word, was crucified by the chief priests, and … ”
But here they stop. They cannot finish the kerygma proclamation. They are not witnesses to the resurrection, which would have been next on the kerygma list. Instead, they cite the experiences of others. Once, however, they encounter Jesus in the breaking of the bread, that changes. Thy now are indeed Easter witnesses, and immediately they return to Jerusalem to testify to their encounter. And there they are met with news of his appearance in Jerusalem as well. They are both proclaimers and hearers of the word.
For reflection: A true witness is one who both experiences the event and testifies to it.
Father Beck is professor emeritus of religious studies at Loras College, Dubuque.
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