13Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16but they were kept from recognizing him.
17He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
19"What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."
25He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
25He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.
30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
Jesus is risen, just as He told the disciples He would. Of course, they did not quite understand. More interestingly, they didn’t recognize Him. He was mistaken for a traveler and a gardener. He was mistaken for just an ordinary man. And only when He revealed himself, only when the disciples were given reason to search their hearts and view Him with opened eyes, did they perceive the presence of the Lord.
That may be the message of Easter. The Lord resides within each one of us. He resides in you. He resides in me. Through the Resurrection, we are able to find him both within ourselves and within those we come in contact with. And finding Him there, we are called to live lives of His love, peace, and forgiveness—with ourselves, and with all those we come in contact with. During Lent we embrace penance and self-denial. In the newness of Easter, we offer the all-encompassing love, acceptance and forgiveness, first to ourselves (as Christ is there waiting for us in our hearts!) and then to others. Through the Resurrection we are made new, we are changed, we are blessed. Through the Resurrection we are filled with the grace of God and the Holy Spirit. Through the Resurrection we recognize the Lord in our lives, in our bodies, in our neighbors.
Easter Sunday reminds us to have hearts of conversion and transformation. It reminds us that Jesus Christ, Our Lord, is within each of us—all we have to do is recognize Him there. And it reminds us that our beliefs, the very core of our faith, is the Resurrection. Without belief in the Resurrection, we are nothing. But by believing, we become members of the Body of Christ, His Church on earth, and we revel in the promise of everlasting love!
12But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. (1 Corinthians 15: 12-21)
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Day 94 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Abundant Blessings in the Glory of the Risen Christ! Alleluia!
Requested Intentions: For Healing (A); The blessing of children (S); Safety of travelers (J); Improved family relationship with the Lord, using gifts for His glory (L); For a restorative, faith-deepening Lent for all those who are struggling (L).
30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
33They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." 35Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. (Luke 24:1-35)
Jesus is risen, just as He told the disciples He would. Of course, they did not quite understand. More interestingly, they didn’t recognize Him. He was mistaken for a traveler and a gardener. He was mistaken for just an ordinary man. And only when He revealed himself, only when the disciples were given reason to search their hearts and view Him with opened eyes, did they perceive the presence of the Lord.
Easter Sunday reminds us to have hearts of conversion and transformation. It reminds us that Jesus Christ, Our Lord, is within each of us—all we have to do is recognize Him there. And it reminds us that our beliefs, the very core of our faith, is the Resurrection. Without belief in the Resurrection, we are nothing. But by believing, we become members of the Body of Christ, His Church on earth, and we revel in the promise of everlasting love!
20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. (1 Corinthians 15: 12-21)
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Day 94 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Abundant Blessings in the Glory of the Risen Christ! Alleluia!
Requested Intentions: For Healing (A); The blessing of children (S); Safety of travelers (J); Improved family relationship with the Lord, using gifts for His glory (L); For a restorative, faith-deepening Lent for all those who are struggling (L).
God bless you. Happy Easter