3rd Sunday of Easter - A (April 23, 2023)

To Recognize Jesus Walking with Us
Luke 24: 13-35

 

“Jesus himself drew near and walked with them.”

 

Jesus still takes the initiative, and walks with us on our journey.  He walks with us in our loved ones, relatives, friends, and companions.  He also walks with us in people who might only come into our lives once.

 

He walks with us when we recognize him and when we don’t.

 

The two disciples recall that they recognize Jesus “in the breaking of bread.”  The more we are connected with Jesus in the Eucharist, the more readily can we recognize him walking with us.

 

Image source: www.agnusday.org 

4th Sunday of Easter (May 8, 2022)

 

God’s Unity

John 10: 27-30

 

“My Father and I are one.” 

 

On this Good Shepherd Sunday, these words of the Good Shepherd reassures us of the great gift that he gave to humanity – unity.  By his cross and resurrection, he brings all humanity into unity with God. 

 

Consequently, this divine unity brings together one family of God “a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue” (2nd Reading).

 

The Good Shepherd now shares with us this mission.  On this World Day of Prayer for Vocations, we pray that each of us embrace our proper vocation as witness and instrument of God’s unity.  Together, may we bring all people into one family of God.  

 

Image source: www.qumran2.net

 

Easter Sunday - C (April 17, 2022)

 

He Saw and Believed

John 20: 1-9

 

In this short Gospel passage, the word “saw” is used four times. 

 

Three people “saw” the empty tomb.  Mary thought that “they have taken the Lord from the tomb.”  Peter – we do not know his response, at least at this point in his journey. 

 

Only the disciple, “whom Jesus loves,” believed as a result of what he saw.

 

We all see.  May God give us the eyes of faith.  

 

 

Images: Chapel of the Salesians of Don Bosco Community in New Rochelle, NY 

Easter - C (April 21, 2019)

True Life

Luke 24: 1-12

Why are you looking for the living among the dead? (Luke 24: 5, Gospel of the Easter Vigil)

How might this question apply to me?  Am I looking at things of this passing world, or even deadly and sinful things, with the false hope that they will give me life?

The people who came to Jesus’ tomb received a reminder of what Jesus had told them – that he would conquer death.  

St. Paul encourages us to "think of what is above." (2nd Reading, Colossians 3:2)

May Christ continue to remind us of his life and victory.

Image source:  http://clipart-library.com

 

2nd Sunday of Easter - B (April 8, 2018)

Jesus Shows the Disciples his Hands and his Side

John 20:19-31

When Jesus appears to the fearful disciples, “he shows them his hands and his side” and he said to them, “Peace be with you.”

Jesus’ pierced hands and side brings us to the moment of his crucifixion.

The Cross is indeed the summit of God’s love for humanity.   There, the price of our salvation.  In the Cross, and only in the Cross, we receive God’s gift of peace and forgiveness.

Image: Caravaggio, The Incredulity of Saint Thomas, wikipedia.org

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3rd Sunday of Easter - A

Commentary

Luke 24: 13 – 35

Christ Walking with Us

The Risen Lord comes and walks with the two disciples as a companion on the journey, while they have lost hope, “looking downcast,” and could not see clearly.

He has spoken to them through their companions, “some of the women in [their] group” and some of the others.

He now speaks to them directly, breaking open Scriptures to them, and setting their hearts on fire.  Of this experience, they later recall, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?”

At their invitation, the Risen Christ then shares with them a meal, during which he repeats his action at the Last Supper.  And “with that, their eyes were opened and they recognized him.”

Let us look into our own journey, spend some time to find the Risen Christ who continues to walk, to speak, and to share a meal with us.

3rd Sunday of Easter (April 18, 2010)

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