April 20, 2017

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.

REFLECTION:
The journey that made the two disciples flee far from Jerusalem brought them back to the place once again. They recounted to the gathered Apostles what they experienced on the road to Emmaus. They were running away from the center of the chaos of the Holy Week, but found themselves again where they first started. And it is with our life sometimes. We flee from the place only to return there. But in returning, we are not the same as before. Our journey gave us the proper depth and perspectives that helps us realize that what we are looking for are actually nearby. Perhaps it is time for us to take stock of what is there around us. Maybe, we will be able to find that which we have been looking for nearby.