THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER A

-

OUR GOD INTERVENES



It is normal to feel sad specially if you have lost someone special. That was why the two disciples, who have become close to the Lord, were in serious mourning as they trek the road to Emmaus.

It is normal to feel disappointed when your hopes are dashed.  These two disciples pinned their hopes on Jesus and knowing that He was now dead, they felt desolate as they traced their way back home.

It is normal to be confused when you are faced with events you cannot understand. Our disciples did not know why things happened the way they did and what would happen next. Their confusion blinded them to the real identity of their newfound Companion on the road.

But it is even more normal for God to intervene when he sees his people falling into sadness, despair and confusion. The Lord Jesus joined them because He knew they needed a companion on the dark path they were walking.  Jesus caught up with them because He knew they needed someone to support and encourage them, to lift up their sagging spirits.

In His patience, the Lord Jesus leads His two friends to a gradual realization that in fact, He was now risen, alive and powerful, as He once promised. He patiently explained the fulfillment of the promises in Scripture. He patiently celebrated with them the sacred meal He established. It is then that the disciples regained their senses and recognized the presence of the Risen Lord. He is not dead, but is alive forever!

The Gospel today is a very powerful portrayal of how our God deals with us. He walks with us in our daily pains and difficulties. He joins us in our journey through the dark moments of life in order to lead us to the brightness of his promises and his presence. Today he walks with us in the Eucharist where, as before, he uncovers his Word before us and offers us the Bread of communion and presence.

When we are sad, confused or desolate let us be sensitive to our companion, our friend, the God who intervenes and enters into our journey.  He is here in the Eucharist as he is in his Body the Church community.  And as we discover him here, like the disciples, let us go forth in joy, proclaiming to others the God who comes to our aid.

Like them, let us be instruments of the proclamation that God does not abandon His people, that He comes to heal our wounds and lift up our spirits.


Popular posts from this blog

HOLY MASS IN FILIPINO (TAGALOG)

-
Image
ANG BANAL NA MISA PAMBUNGAD NA AWIT Pari:    Sa ngalan ng Ama, at ng anak, at ng Espiritu Santo. Bayan: Amen P.         Sumainyo ang Panginoon. B.        At sumainyo rin. P.         Mga kapatid, aminin nating ang ating mga kasalanan upang tayo’y maging marapat sa pagdiriwang ng banal na paghahaing ito.             Sinugong Tagapagpagaling sa mga nagsisisi,             Panginoon, kaawaan mo kami. B.        Panginoon, kaawaan mo kami. P.        Dumating na Tagapag-anyayang mga makasalana’y magsisi,             Kristo, kaawaan mo kami. B.         Kristo, kaawaan mo kami. P.         Nakaluklok ka sa kanan ng Diyos Ama para ipamagitan kami             Panginoon, kaawaan mo kami. B.         Panginoon, kaawaan mo kami. P.         Kaawaan tayo ng makapangyarihang Diyos,             Patawarin tayo sa ating mga kasalanan,             At patnubayan tayo sa buhay na walang hanggan. B.        Amen. GLORIA/ LUWALHATI
Read more

SIMBANG GABI DAY 1: READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

-
Image
FIRST DAY: DECEMBER 16   (from the book: Where is the Child?by Fr. R. Marcos (Makati: StPauls);  pls responsibly acknowledge source when using publicly)   fr tam nguyen's photo First Reading: Isaiah 56:1-3, 6-8   Thus says the Lord: Observe what is right, do what is just, for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed.   Hay is the one who does this, whoever holds fast to it: Keeping the sabbath without profaning it, keeping one’s hand from doing any evil. The foreigner joined to the Lord should not say, “The Lord will surely exclude me from his people”; Nor should the eunuch say, “See, I am a dry tree.” And foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, to become his servants—All who keep the sabbath without profaning it and hold fast to my covenant, them I will bring to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will
Read more

SIMBANG GABI DAY 2: READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

-
Image
SECOND DAY: December 17   (from the book: Where is the Child?by Fr. R. Marcos (Makati: StPauls);  pls responsibly acknowledge source when using publicly)   fr tam nguyen's photo   First Reading: Genesis 49:2, 8-10   Jacob called his sons and said [to them]: “Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob, listen to Israel, your father. “You, Judah, shall your brothers praise—your hand on the neck of your enemies;the sons of your father shall bow down to you. Judah is a lion’s cub, you have grown up on prey, my son. He crouches, lies down like a lion, Like a lioness—who would dare rouse him? The scepter shall never depart from Judah, or the mace from between his feet, until tribute comes to him, and he receives the people’s obedience.”     A.             Short Background on the First Reading   1. Who was Judah? Judah was one of the twelve sons of Jacob (or Israel). Jacob was considered the father of the nation of Israel and his twelve sons were cons
Read more