THE WORD
Ac 3,11-26 / Lk 24,35-48
The two [disciples] recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you. But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They give him a piece of baked fish; her took it and ate it in front of them. He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.”
Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”
IN OTHER WORDS
I facilitated a day of recollection with a group of second year students. One of the very touching moments with them was when they wrote their personal love letter to God. I asked them to find a comfortable place for themselves. Some went to the corners of the room. Others stayed at their own seats. And there was one student who stayed under the table. I did not mind her until finally I approached her and to my surprise she was soberly crying. Her tears slowly dropped on her activity sheet. Accompanying her in silence, I felt her pain. She wanted to say something but she had difficulty uttering even a single word. When she was ready, she disclosed spontaneously, “Miss ko na po ang daddy’t mommy ko. Kilan ko po kaya sila makikita uli? Bakit kailangan pa nilang maghiwalay?” Then, she started sobbing. My encounter with this young girl reminded me of the experience of the two disciples with the Risen Lord. If we are generous enough to open our hearts for others, especially the needy, we will be able to see Jesus. The Gospel story is an encounter that deepens our faith in the love of the Risen Lord. A graced encounter, it is a faith-filled experience of brokenness. Only through faith do we see the miracles of life everyday in people’s pains and sufferings. The SVD Constitution highlights this experience as an attitude of dialogue. Dialogue is an attitude of solidarity, respect and love that is to permeate all of our activities (GC2000 ¶53) It is only through faith that we can carry out our mission to make Christ incarnate in our life and ministry with the people, bring them closer to him and put them not only in touch but in communion and intimacy with him (Catechesi Tradendae 5). Our mission is to share our graced encounter with Jesus to people. Thus, we do not base our missionary identity on being different from others; we base it on being faithful—faithful witnesses to the joy of our faith in the Resurrection. (SVD XVI General Chapter, 2006 ¶10)
- Fr. Jhonatan A. Letada, SVD | CKMS, Quezon City
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
