In the Gospel passage, when Jesus appeared to the two disciples, they did not recognise him. Their eyes were "held back", that is, they were 'spiritually blind'. Later, Jesus reprimands them for their blindness. They have read the prophets all their lives but not recognised the fulfillment of God's plan in the necessary suffering and death of Jesus.

In the first reading, Peter tells the people that the cure of the lame man was made possible only through the name of Jesus, the one whom they rejected and put to death. According to Peter, God has foretold the death of his Messiah in "all the prophets" and yet, the people of Israel rejected him.

Now, according to Peter, the healing of the lame man shows that God had raised Jesus from the dead and was honouring his name. It means that God himself has cleared the name of Jesus. Therefore, ignorance is no excuse for not accepting Jesus. They are warned that those who reject Jesus a second time will be cut off from God's people.

We have celebrated so many Easters. In all this time, have we truly accepted Jesus as our Lord? Have we been able to see him with new eyes of faith? Does his resurrection hold special meaning to us? Or are our eyes still "held back" from spiritual blindness? The Season of Easter is here. It is a time of grace for us to repent for our 'spiritual blindness' and to experience his risen presence in our lives. Ignorance is no excuse.