Recognizing Jesus

May 4 

Third Sunday of Easter: A thought for those who want to bear prophetic witness through lifestyle

Acts 2:14,22-33; Psalm 16:1-2a,5,7-8,9-10,11; 1 Peter 1:17-21; Luke 24:13-35

The disciples going to Emmaus recognized the risen Jesus when he “took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them.” We recognize him the same way.

At Mass we experience ourselves praising and appreciating God—for example, in the Gloria—as only those can who have the Spirit of God enlightening and moving them. In the Scripture readings we recognize the voice of Jesus himself present and speaking to us. In the Presentation of the Gifts we hear Jesus saying, “Come, follow me!” as he invites us to present ourselves with the bread and wine to be transformed and share in his mission. In the Eucharistic Prayer we see ourselves as his body, lifted up with him and in him on the cross for the life of the world. And in the Rite of Communion we recognize him present under the appearances of bread and wine, giving himself to us to be our food and life.

 

At every Eucharist we can echo the words of Peter: “God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses.

Exalted at the right hand of God, he has poured forth the promise of the Holy Spirit that he received from the Father, as we both see and hear.”

PRAY: Lord Jesus, open my eyes and ears. Make my heart burn while you speak to me.”

PRACTICE: At Mass, look with faith; listen with hope; respond wth love