FULFILLMENT

It is interesting that during the Easter season, when we

do not hear a reading from the Old Testament, it becomes

so important. This is particularly true today. Peter’s speech

begins with a prayer formula familiar to Jews: “The God of

Abraham . . .” (Acts 3:13). It likewise contains the potent

phrases “Holy and Righteous One” and “mouth of all the

prophets” (3:14, 18). Peter was stating in no uncertain

terms that the law, psalms, and prophets had been fulfilled

in Christ. This is reinforced by Jesus himself in the Gospel

passage, when he states that everything in the scriptures

(to the early Christians “the scriptures” were what we call

the Old Testament) had to be fulfilled. Above all, Jesus and

Peter both emphasize that we are witnesses to all of this,

and are sent forth to bear witness to it in the world. The

Latin Missa, from which our word “Mass” comes, means

“sent” (as in “mission”). As we leave Mass today, let us remember

to be witnesses to all that has been fulfilled in the

risen Christ.