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
Gospel: Lk 24:13-35*
Two followers of Jesus were going to Emmaus, a village seven miles from Jerusalem, and they talked about what had happened. While they were talking and arguing about what had happened, Jesus came up and walked with 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. 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. (…)“ 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?” (…)
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 each other, “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 returned 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.
Reflections
WERE NOT OUR HEARTS BURNING WITHIN US…?
I have always been touched by this story of the disciples’ encounter with Jesus in Emmaus especially by this sentence: Were not our hearts burning within us? It is such a symbolic and emotive expression of a sentiment that can hardly be described. It meant that even they did not recognize Jesus along the way, yet when he was explaining the Scriptures to them, their hearts were already responding even if their minds were slow to recognize Jesus. Can we recall moments in our lives when our hearts were burning within us? When we are listening to somebody and what he or she is saying resonates with us, then our hearts burn within us. When we see a picture that is touching like the picture of the “pieta” of a woman cradling her husband who was killed by vigilantes, didn’t our heart burn within us? We thank God for those moments when our hearts burn within us because they are moments of God’s visitation.
Daily Reflection 2018
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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
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