Our gospel for today is from Luke 24:35-48. It is in the scripture that the Messiah is to suffer and rise from the dead on the third day. The promise made by Jesus to His disciples that He will rise again might not be that clear to them. As He showed Himself to them, they were all frightened and astonished. This means that there are still doubts in their hearts. The gospel in Luke 24:35-48 tells us so many things.

Gospel: Luke 24:35-48

35 Then they told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread.

36 They were still talking about all this when he himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you!’

37 In a state of alarm and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost.

38 But he said, ‘Why are you so agitated, and why are these doubts stirring in your hearts?

39 See by my hands and my feet that it is I myself. Touch me and see for yourselves; a ghost has no flesh and bones as you can see I have.’

40 And as he said this he showed them his hands and his feet.

41 Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, as they were dumbfounded; so he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’

42 And they offered him a piece of grilled fish,

43 which he took and ate before their eyes.

44 Then he told them, ‘This is what I meant when I said, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms, was destined to be fulfilled.’

45 He then opened their minds to understand the scriptures,

46 and he said to them, ‘So it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,

47 and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

48 You are witnesses to this.

Reflection:

In Luke 24:35-48, the disciples were very lucky to have seen the face of Jesus after His resurrection from the dead. This resurrection is the symbol of the repentance and forgiveness of sins of all people. The disciples realized the great mystery of the resurrection of Jesus with joy.

Jesus told His disciples “You are the witnesses of these things.” We too are the living witnesses of Jesus through baptism and church. We are to be the instruments of His works. To witness the power of God means to give our full faith that we too can do small things for our brothers and sisters. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we have to be doing our best to scatter the word of God in the best thing we can.

Patience is another virtues that will keep our faith going. Like the song entitled “Seasons” we must like be the seasons, we have to believe that there is a time for everything. Like Jesus who returned from the dead after three days, we too should be patient in waiting for our time. Instead of complaining about what we have and don’t have, we have to pray in silence. Pray that patience will always come near us. Patience is a virtue and those who waits in patience receive the gift from above. “Peace be with you all.” – Clea | Helpline PH