Providence Spirituality

Gospel of April 14, 2024 according to Luke 24:35-48)
Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.
He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.

Reflection on the Gospel  of April 14, 2024 –

Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Luke 24:35-48 –

The timely reading of this Gospel is a beautiful invitation to live the presence of the Risen Jesus, who came to his disciples to encourage them and prompt them to break free from their amazement and overcome their paralyzing fear. The disciples felt truly bewildered, just as we feel today amid the cares of life. How could they not feel troubled after watching Jesus being sentenced to death on the cross? Today we know that he did die and rose again. Yet, many feel lost in this global world, indifferent to pain, unmoved by the misery of the poor, both spiritually and materially.

Just like He did yesterday, standing among His friends and disciples full of fears and doubts, today Jesus comes to meet us. He is the one who encourages us and brings us peace, serenity, and trust.

Jesus asked questions to his disciples, knowing their minds and hearts, just as he knows our thoughts, because he has known us from the beginning of times. He constantly teaches us and fills our hearts with love. Speaking in simple words, he asks us “Touch me and see”.   According to His pedagogical way of preaching, Jesus gave them concrete and tangible proofs so that they believed, and he does the same with us. He wants us to believe that He is the Risen One, explaining and showing us that He is the same one who died on the cross, who rose from the dead, and who is with us today.

When Jesus asked for something to eat, they gave Him fish. This helps us picture ourselves as a family sharing food around a table, something, we should appreciate more every day. after experiencing a pandemic and witnessing wars in different places on the planet.

The disciples felt joy arising spontaneously from the depths of their hearts, a joy that was the result of recognizing Him and of recognizing with eyes wide open the light that they thought was lost during his absence.

Jesus himself explained to them that all that was written must be fulfilled, that he needed to suffer and rise again on the third day. And with experience comes forgiveness, and the constant call of conversion. Jesus entrusts us a very concrete mission: to make Him known, to preach in his name and to spread the Gospel around the world.

Fresia Flores, PA

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