First Reading (Acts 3:13-15, 17-19). Peter boldly proclaims the Good News: an early explanation of the Passion and an example of the early witness to the resurrection.
Second Reading (1 John 2:1-5). We show that we know God by keeping his commandments. When we fail, Christ intercedes for us with the Father.
Gospel (Luke 24:35-48). Jesus appears to the apostles, and commissions them to preach the Gospel to all nations.

In the First Reading Peter shows great courage when he confronts the people with their part in the death of Jesus. He urges them to repent, assuring them that if they do, their sins will be forgiven.
In the Second Reading John says that authentic love is proved by obedience to the commandments. Anticipating that the Christian will sin, he reminds us that we have in Jesus an advocate who will plead our cause.
In the Gospel we find the apostles gathered behind closed doors, wounded in heart and in spirit. Jesus appears to them, gives them his peace, and breathes new life into them. He does the same for us.
Luke’s primary interest is to show that the risen Jesus is the same person the apostles had known prior to the crucifixion.
He emphasizes the reality of Jesus’ bodily resurrection, but makes it clear that the resurrection is not a resuscitated earthly life – Jesus has risen, to a new life beyond death.
One theme occurs in all three readings: forgiveness is available to those who repent and believe in Jesus as their Saviour.