We Are the Children of God!
The Third Sunday of Easter (Year B)
Scripture
First Reading: Acts 3:12-19
Psalter: Psalm 4
Epistle: 1 John 3:1-7
Gospel: Luke 24:36b-48
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Prayer
Holy and righteous God, you raised Christ from the dead and glorified him at your right hand. Let the words of scripture, fulfilled in Jesus your Son, burn within our hearts and open our minds to recognize him in the breaking of bread. Amen. (Revised Common Lectionary)
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Reflection
See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous (1 John 3:1-7).
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” This verse emphasizes the immense love God has for us, a love so great that it transforms us into God’s children. Our identity as beloved sons and daughters of God, carries significance and dignity. St. Bede writes,
The grace of our Creator is so great that he has allowed us both to know him and to love him, and moreover, to love him as children love a wonderful father. It would be no small thing if we were able to love God in the way that a servant loves his master or a worker his employer. But loving God as father is much greater still (On First John).
There future hope we have as God’s children. “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” There is an eternal transformation awaiting believers. Our ultimate destiny is to be conformed to the likeness of Christ, experiencing the fullness of God’s glory and perfection.
In verse 3, John introduces the theme of holiness and righteous living: “All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” This verse highlights the connection between our hope in Christ’s return and our commitment to a life of purity and holiness. Our anticipation of being like him motivates us to live in a manner that reflects his character.
In verses 4-6 John contrasts sin and righteousness: “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.” Here we see the transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice. Believers are called to turn away from sin and live in righteousness, knowing that Christ’s work on the cross has liberated us from the bondage of sin. “The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.” John encourages believers to stay steadfast in their commitment to righteousness, warning against the deception of sin and affirming that true righteousness is found in Christ.
In this passage we see a call to embrace our identity as children of God, to live in hopeful anticipation of our transformation into Christ’s likeness, and to pursue a life of holiness and righteousness empowered by God’s love and grace.
PRAYER: O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)
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