April 5, 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.

Reflections
PEACE BE TO YOU!
I am sure you have noticed that after the Resurrection, Jesus always greeted his disciples in his apparitions with: PEACE BE WITH YOU. That is actually the most beautiful wish we could give to anyone. To have peace means to have overcome one’s conflicts, one’s doubts, one’s struggle, one’s worries. In other words one has come to a state of contentment and joy. When Jesus greets his disciples with these words, he is like telling them — you have no more cause to worry, to be afraid, to be anxious, to be troubled. I have overcome death not only for myself but for you. Although you will still remain in the world, don’t be afraid: I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD. So now, you can live in peace, not as the world gives, but as I give it to you. When we give each other the greeting of peace at Holy Mass, we remind each other of Christ’s greeting and of his assurance that we, too, can now live steeped in divine contentment.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2018