April 15, 2018

Gospel: Lk 24:35-48
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. While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood in their midst. (He said to them, “Peace to you.”) In their panic and fright they thought they were seeing a ghost, but he said to them, “Why are you upset, and how does such an idea cross your minds? Look at my hands and feet, and see that it is I myself! Touch me, and see for yourselves, for a ghost has no flesh and bones as I have!” (As he said this, he showed his hands and feet.) Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, as they were astonished; so he said to them, “Have you anything to eat?” And they gave him a piece of broiled fish. He took it, and ate it before them. Then Jesus said to them, “Remember the words I spoke to you when I was still with you: Everything written about me in the law of Moses, in the prophets and in the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said, “So it was written: the Messiah had to suffer, and on the third day rise from the dead. Then repentance and forgiveness in his name would be proclaimed to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.

Lectio Divina
Read: God makes use of acts of human ignorance to His own great purposes, as in the case of the death of Jesus. Jesus appears to the disciples and takes great pain to explain the Scriptures concerning his own life, death, and resurrection, the purpose of all of which, as John explains, is to bring us back to God and His love.
Reflect: It feels a bit comical to see how desperately Jesus tries to convince the bunch of disciples of his identity. He asks them to see and touch his pierced hands and feet. He asks for something to eat to prove to them that he is real. He interprets scriptures to help them understand that all that happened was necessary. The purpose of it all? That repentance and forgiveness may be preached all over the world; that the world may come to know God’s love. No wonder the Gospel sounds too good to be true!
Pray: Lord, consecrate me to be channels of your repentance and forgiveness for the people in my life.
Act: Reach out and touch someone with God’s and your forgiveness.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2018