Today's Readings all speak of the resurrection of Jesus and its consequences. Peter's speech at Pentecost, quoted in the Acts of the Apostles, argues that the resurrection of Jesus was promised. He observes that Psalm 15 made no sense if applied to David. In the Psalm, David says "you will not leave my soul among the dead, nor let your beloved know decay," yet David had been in his grave for at least a thousand years. Jesus, however, had risen and left the empty tomb; he must, therefore, be the Messiah, the Holy One. God raised Jesus from the dead in the power of the Holy Spirit. The resurrection was a Trinitarian affair, as a liberating act of the Trinity.

This theme of liberation, of preservation from death, is also found in Peter's First Letter, addressed to the recently converted Gentiles. He reminds them that they have been delivered from the useless ways of their ancestors by the blood of the Lamb.

Liberation was also on the minds of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Their expectation of a Messiah bringing political freedom was dashed by Jesus' being put to death. When He joined them on their walk, they could not recognise Him because they thought all was lost. He was present to them visually but they did not recognise Him, except as a stranger. In the breaking of bread, they recognised Him, but He vanished. Why? Because they now "saw and believed!"