When the Risen One is recognized in everyday life

Mario Alberto Molina, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Los Altos, Quetzaltenango – Totonicapán, offers us a meditation on the presence of the Risen Jesus in the midst of the ordinary. On this III Sunday of Easter, the Gospel teaches us that the Lord can be in front of us without us recognizing him… until faith and love reveal him.

The stranger on the shore: The risen Jesus manifests himself

We have just listened to a long Gospel passage, which narrates two distinct episodes: the miraculous catch of fish by the Lake of Tiberias and the profession of faith and love of Peter to Jesus, together with the announcement of his future martyrdom.

The first episode contains a detail that deserves attention. The disciples have gone out fishing, work that is done at night. That night the work was unsuccessful. Already at dawn, they hear a man’s voice from the shore. For them it is a stranger. The evangelist makes it clear that it is Jesus, but the disciples do not recognize him.

The risen Jesus appears under another figure. This is key for us: he can also be in front of us and we do not realize it. But his words, his authority, his gesture, transform failure into abundance. It is the beloved disciple who intuits with his heart: “It is the Lord”.

Recognize it in the fire, the bread and the full net.

Peter jumps into the water and runs to the Lord. The stranger – now host – has bread and fish on the coals. He invites them to eat. The evangelist comments, “No one dared to ask him, ‘Who are you,’ for they knew it was the Lord.”

Jesus does not impose himself. His presence transforms. They do not see him with their eyes, but faith allows them to recognize him. Hope is born where there was failure.

Emmaus: another apparition under another figure

The story also recalls the disciples of Emmaus. Another stranger walks with them, speaks to them, restores their faith. In the breaking of the bread they recognize him. It was not the physical look, but that of the heart. Jesus manifests himself in the word, in the liturgy, in the charity that moves and transforms.

Today it continues to do so: in a “chance” that kindles hope, in a word that touches the soul, in an image or in a liturgy lived in faith. His presence is latent, not overt.

True testimony transforms life

The encounter with the risen Jesus impels them to bear witness. The apostles preach in spite of persecution. Faced with orders to be silent, Peter responds: “We must obey God rather than men”.

When human authority is opposed to the law of God, the Christian must be faithful to the Gospel, even if it means persecution. The conscience enlightened by faith is a sure guide. The apostles retire happy to have suffered for the name of Jesus.

Praise to the glorified Lamb

The text concludes by raising his voice with the angels:

“To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, praise, honor, glory and power forever and ever. Amen.”