Readings: (Acts 5:27-32, 40-41; Rev 5:11-14; Jn 21:1-19).

I have often admired Lynda Randle’s song, “God on the mountains,” released in 1999. I sing it many times over because of its rich theological content. And this third Sunday of Easter, Lynda’s song comes to my mind again as I ponder the Gospel reading. Yes, God of the good times is still God in the bad times. God of the day is still God in the night. God on the mountains is still God in the valley. That’s how God in Christ shows up this Sunday.

Christ is with us and among us. God is constant - always present, even when things go wrong. And if you think that everything went right for the early followers of Jesus, then think again because incredulity greeted even Christ’s resurrection. The beginning of today’s Gospel shows up the apostles in Galilee, not Jerusalem. Also, Peter’s announcement that “I am going fishing” is not a neutral or joyful statement. Its background includes the fears and pains of those who had recently escaped the Jewish capital following the execution. Thus, the first reading and the Gospel surface on the tensions and frustration that weighed on Jesus’ followers. They considered their options, as they thought that everything was over. “Shall we not return to our old occupation,” they deliberated. Then came Jesus, again. Once more, when things go wrong, God makes them right! But do we have enough openness to see this?

We must notice the profound experience of Christ’s presence that Peter recalls for our encouragement today. We hear him and the other disciples in their emboldenment in the power of the resurrection. The effects and merits of Jesus’ resurrection power and grace are God’s ultimate saving intervention for the world, which must be proclaimed. Peter ended by saying that we must declare it: “What you have seen and heard is the outpouring of that Spirit.” What I hear, and you too need to hear and recognize, is that God’s grace is still here. Amidst the hard times and fearful news, God’s word, God’s Spirit, and God’s power which we proclaim at Easter, is God’s divine presence with us.

Thoughts about the worries of our world today make this Goodnews such a delight. The stories of corrupt politics in Nigeria are so disheartening. The federal government’s connivance with Boko haram and banditry and the soft-handedness of those who meet and “negotiate” with them is no longer deniable. Yet, even more, true is the Gospel of hope that we carry. The justice of God prevails. God walks to us, talks to us, and works with us to rescue us. God listens to prayers and shows mercy. The response of faith is this: Lord; you will show me the path of life. You will come to my help. Your anger lasts a moment, but your favor spans through life. Indeed, “I will praise you, Lord, for you have (already) rescued me.”

But we must also expect God’s intervention by preparing for it. Our communities and individual families today are hurting more from poor leadership. The near-collapse of security and public safety in our time are leadership issues. Yet, there are people here whose idea of a loving God comes to life only when they query God for not removing all diseases and preventing pandemics. God, Allah, or Jesus is not killing the citizens of Nigeria, but corrupt leadership is. In the middle belt and other parts of Nigeria, Bandits are not God but our fellow human beings whose clan members are also heading our nation’s security services.

We will trust in the day, even during the darkest of nights. God is enough for us. And we trust in the sun’s light even during harmattan days. Since God of the good times is still God in the bad times. We will be glad to suffer dishonor and humiliation for being good Christians or Muslims alike. We will obey God rather than the misguided ideology of men.