WEDNESDAY APRIL 3, 2024
WEDNESDAY OF THE OCTAVE OF EASTER YEAR B
Acts 3:1-10
Luke 24:13-35
THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF THE WORD AND THE EUCHARIST
The incredulity, doubts and confusions of the disciples of Jesus about the event of the resurrection continue to hunt, disturb and perturb them. The resurrection story was beyond their comprehension, with the evidence of the empty tomb compounding their confusion.
Abandoning the community of the disciples and going on an aimless journey to Emmaus, found the resurrected Jesus with these disciples trying to understand their confusion, incredulity and doubts. At that point, unknown to them that it was Jesus himself, these disciples in total confusion detailed their frustrations and level of their faith. For them, Jesus was just a prophet who had some mystical powers to demonstrate that he was capable of becoming a political revolutionary leader. That was their level of faith.
The resurrection made no meaning to them. They could not fathom it at all. They were more confused by the event. But let us put ourselves into the matter. How many of us really understand and appreciate the events of the resurrection as such? Are we really convinced of it. Do we believe well in it. And how can we come to terms with this event?
Jesus brings us to the awareness, erasing our doubts, confusions and incredulity in his words and in the breaking of bread. The disciples on the road to Emmaus witnessed and received the word of God which seems to burn their hearts. Jesus explains the words to them, beginning with the creation of the world, the prophecy of the prophets until the coming of Jesus himself. Jesus even scolded them for their dull of heart and incredulity.
But the word of God was released and it burn within their heart. Just as Peter and John preached the word to the man born crippled at the beautiful gate and proclaimed the mighty works of Jesus who was alive by using that same name of Jesus to heal and restored the health of the crippled man.
The word is the tool with powers to convince, to elevate the mind, to inform the hearts and to instruct the doubtful. But the word is not alone. The breaking of bread unveiled the person of Jesus to them. Jesus was recognized at this point. They saw him, recognized him and felt his presence. He was the one walking and talking with them since throughout their journey. He was the one that they complained to of their incredulity and doubts. He is the same Jesus who through the breaking of bread reveals himself to them.
We are privileged to be disciples of these lat er days. We possess the word and the Eucharist. May they bring us closer to Christ as we reverence them, believe in them and worship Jesus present in the Eucharist.
The word and the Eucharist has power to transform us, to make us better convinced and dedicated Christians. The word and the Eucharist can elevate our spiritual life making us better acceptable to the Father and drawing us into closer union with God, enlivening our spiritual life and confirming our faith.
Heavenly Father, may the words of God dwell richly in our hearts, confirming us in the faith. And may the Eucharistic mysteries we participate in and receive help to enliven our understanding, revealing the mysteries of Christ to us and making us greater witnesses and firmer adherents of the Christian life through Christ our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
