OCTAVE Easter, Wednesday
Psalter: Proper / (White)
Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9
Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord.
1st Reading: Acts 3:1-10
Once when Peter and John were going up to the temple, at three in the afternoon, the hour for prayer, a man, crippled from birth, was being carried in. Every day, they would bring him and put him at the temple gate called “Beautiful;” there, he begged from those who entered the temple.
When he saw Peter and John on their way into the temple, he asked for alms. Then Peter, with John at his side, looked straight at him and said, “Look at us.” So he looked at them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, walk!”
Then, he took the beggar by his right hand and helped him up. At once, his feet and ankles became firm, and, jumping up, he stood on his feet and began to walk. And he went with them into the temple, walking and leaping and praising God.
All the people saw him walking and praising God; they recognized him as the one who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were all astonished and amazed at what had happened to him.
Gospel: Lk 24:13-35
That same day, two followers of Jesus were going to Emmaus, a village seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking to each other about all the things that had happened. While they were talking and debating these things, Jesus himself approached and began to accompany them, but their eyes were not able to recognize him.
He asked, “What is it you are talking about?” The two stood still, looking sad. Then the one named Cleophas answered, “Why, it seems you are the only traveler to Jerusalem who doesn’t know what has happened there these past few days.” And he asked, “What is it?”
They replied, “It is about Jesus of Nazareth. He was a prophet, you know, mighty in word and deed before God and the people. 20 But the chief priests and our rulers sentenced him to death. They handed him over to be crucified. We had hoped that he would redeem Israel.
It is now the third day since all this took place. It is also true that some women of our group have disturbed us. When they went to the tomb at dawn, they did not find his body; and they came and told us that they had had a vision of angels, who said that Jesus was alive. Some of our people went to the tomb and found everything just as the women had said, but they did not find a body in the tomb.”
He said to them, “How dull you are, how slow of understanding! Is the message of the prophets too difficult for you to understand? Is it not written that the Christ should suffer all this, and then enter his glory?” Then starting with Moses, and going through the prophets, he explained to them everything in the Scriptures concerning himself.
As they drew near the village they were heading for, Jesus made as if to go farther. But they prevailed upon him, “Stay with us, for night comes quickly. The day is now almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When they were at table, he took the bread, said a blessing, broke it, and gave each a piece.
Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; but he vanished out of their sight. And they said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us when he was talking to us on the road and explaining the Scriptures?”
They immediately set out and re turned to Jerusalem. There, they found the Eleven and their companions gathered together. They were greeted by these words: “Yes, it is true, the Lord is risen! He has appeared to Simon!” Then the two told what had happened on the road to Emmaus, and how Jesus had made himself known, when he broke bread with them.
REFLECTION:
The road to Emmaus is a picture of our own road in this life. We too like the two disciples move away from Life as represented by Jerusalem, for going towards Emmaus is moving away from Jerusalem. Yet the source of life does not allow us easy escape. He finds us and walks with us in our foolishness. Jesus as a mysterious stranger walked with the two and slowly eased their doubts and confusion with regards to Jesus of Nazareth. He cited from their Scriptures, He explained to them its meaning, and then their hearts burned, their minds became illumined. And all that they felt inside were tied up together in the Eucharistic meal where their eyes were opened and they finally recognized the Lord. So in this journey that we call life, we are never alone. The source of life does not abandon us easily. He will walk with us if He has too.
"If today you hear His words, harden not your heart."
Daily Reflection
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
With permission from the EPISCOPAL COMMISION ON LITURGY of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
Readings and Reflections
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