In the Spirit of Wednesday in the Octave of Easter (Die IV infra Octavam Paschæ)
“The God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified His Son Jesus, whom you indeed delivered up and denied before the face of Pilate, when he judged He should be released. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you. But the Author of life you killed, whom God hath raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses… And now, brethren, I know that you did it through ignorance, as did also your rulers. But those things which God before had shewed by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ should suffer, He hath so fulfilled. Be penitent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.”
(Acts 3:13–15, 17–19 – Douay-Rheims)
A Reflection in the Light of the Easter Octave
As we bask in the radiant joy of the Resurrection during this blessed Octave of Easter, Holy Mother Church places before us the bold witness of St. Peter in the temple, speaking not merely with human courage, but with the fire of Pentecost still enkindled in his heart. On this quarta feria (Wednesday) after Easter Sunday, the Church draws us into the mystery of the resurrectio Domini not only as a triumph over death, but as the culmination of the promises made to the Fathers — Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The Fulfillment of the Patriarchal Covenant
Peter’s speech opens with an invocation of the God of the Patriarchs, a deliberate anchoring of the Resurrection within the unbroken covenantal history of Israel. St. Irenaeus, in his Against Heresies (Book 4), emphasizes that the God who made Himself known to Abraham is the same God who raised Jesus from the dead, thus manifesting His faithfulness. He writes:
“For the promise to Abraham, that in his seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed, He fulfilled by the birth of Christ from the Virgin, and by His Resurrection from the dead.” (Adv. Haer. IV.21.3)
The Resurrection is not an isolated event; it is the divine seal upon the entire dispensation of salvation — a divine “Yes” to the promises made of old.
The Rejection of the Just One
Peter’s fearless proclamation cuts deeply: “You denied the Holy One and the Just… and killed the Author of life.” These words echo with prophetic force. St. John Chrysostom, in his homily on this passage, notes the paradox and horror of these actions:
“What a tremendous thing! They demanded death for the Giver of life, and release for a murderer. The very charge condemns them more than any punishment could. Yet Peter speaks not to destroy, but to heal.” (Homilies on Acts, Homily 9)
There is profound pastoral wisdom in Peter’s words: he names the sin, but also appeals to the ignorance that surrounded it. He opens a door to repentance, not by excusing the sin, but by pointing to the mercy now available in the light of fulfilled prophecy.
The Call to Repentance and Conversion
The message culminates with a clarion call: “Be penitent therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” This is the perennial invitation of Easter: not merely to rejoice in Christ’s triumph, but to be transformed by it. The Resurrection is not merely a past event but a present reality into which we must enter through repentance.
St. Augustine, reflecting on this passage in his sermons on the New Testament, ties this repentance directly to the Paschal mystery:
“Peter does not despair of them, for Christ did not die in vain. If He rose, it was to bring new life to those who had denied Him. Let them repent, and they shall be raised with Him.” (Sermon 229L)
Indeed, to repent is to begin to rise. To convert is to walk out of the tombs of our sins, into the light of Easter morning.
Liturgical Resonance on Wednesday of Easter Week
On this infra octavam Paschæ, the Church resounds with Alleluia, not merely as exultation, but as an invitation to conversion. The propers of the Mass for this day, drawn from the ancient Roman tradition, continue to sing the mercy and victory of Christ. The Introit, Venite, benedicti Patris mei, reminds us of the eternal inheritance prepared for those who follow the Risen One. Peter’s sermon is not merely historical, it is liturgical — it is the Word of God alive in the heart of the Church, calling us today, this very moment, to turn again toward the Lord.
Conclusion: The Easter Witness and Our Response
Let us then, with the early Christians, echo the witness of Peter — not only with our words, but with lives transformed by grace. The God of our fathers has glorified His Son. Let us not deny Him by sin, but glorify Him by penance and faith. And in this Paschal season, may our hearts rise with Him, cleansed and illumined, crying out with the Church triumphant: Alleluia, alleluia! Christus surrexit, sicut dixit!
Suggested Prayer (from the Roman Breviary, Paschal Octave):
O God, who by the Resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, didst vouchsafe to make glad the whole world: grant, we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may attain the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.