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As we continue to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ, the victory of life over death, through Paschal Season, we prepare ourselves for Pentecost, reflecting upon the effects of the Resurrection of Christ on us, in juxtaposition to the transformations of the disciples after Jesus’ Resurrection, described in the Scripture readings.
The Third Sunday of Paschal Season is the last
Sunday to read a Gospel text that describes happenings on the day of
Resurrection, having read various Gospel narratives on the day of Resurrection
for Paschal Vigil, Resurrection Sunday, and Second Sunday of Paschal Season.
For Paschal Vigil and Resurrection Sunday, the
Gospel readings are about how the disciples reacted to the empty tomb. Then,
for Second Sunday of Paschal Season (Divine Mercy Sunday), the Gospel reading
was about how risen Jesus appeared to the fear-stricken disciples in the Upper
Room and how Divine Mercy in the Holy Spirit through his gentle breath
transformed their fear into joy. This Gospel narrative also describes how
Divine Mercy of risen Jesus transformed stubborn skepticism of Thomas, as well.
Now on this Third Sunday of Paschal Season, the
Gospel reading is drawn from Luke 24:13-35, describing how risen Jesus
transformed Cleopas and another disciple with his Word and breaking of bread,
as they were walking away from Jerusalem to Emmaus on the day of Resurrection.
The first reading (Acts 2:14-22-33) is drawn from Peter’s speech on Pentecost.
In this, Peter gives a very nice Christological description of Jesus,
reflecting Paschal Mystery of him. Peter
really wanted his audience, who had thought he and other disciples were “drunk”
upon being filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, to know who Jesus really
was, with an emphasis on his Resurrection. For this reason, Peter cites Psalm
16:8-11 (in Acts 2:25-28), where David prophesized the resurrection of Christ.
It is not only Isaiah in Isaiah 53:11 but also David
in Psalm 16:8-11, figuratively prophesized the Resurrection of Christ.
Of course, Peter intended to let his audience know
that the Resurrection of Christ, a major factor in Paschal Mystery of Jesus,
preceded by Passion and Death of Christ, led to Pentecost, which completed his
transformation upon his encounter with risen Jesus.
As Peter cited from Psalm 16 in his Pentecost speech,
today’s Responsorial Psalm is Psalm:16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11, with the refrain
from v. 11, “Lord, you will show us the
path of life”.
To David, the resurrection of Christ that he
prophesized meant the path of life.
The Second Reading (1 Peter 1;17-21), in which Peter
encourages us to change our life to pursue a higher purpose through our faith
in Christ, understanding why he shed his blood and the reason for his
revelation, as well as his Resurrection and glorification.
Through the First Reading and the Second Reading, we
hear today Peter passionately speaks to us why we need to be transformed,
remembering why Jesus died, shedding his blood to redeem us, and the meaning of
his Resurrection and glorification, in light of Paschal Mystery. And, as he
cited from David’s Psalm 16:11, this transformation of our life upon the
Resurrection of Christ is the path of life, taking us to a higher purpose.
The Gospel reading today (Luke 24:13-35), indeed,
illustrates the path of life that Cleopas and another disciple took,
accompanied by risen Jesus. From Jerusalem to Emmaus.
At first, these two disciples were walking away from
Jerusalem, like lost sheep, being away from their herd. Their hearts were heavy
with grief, since they did not yet believe and understand Resurrection.
Therefore, their lives were not yet transformed, even though it was the day of
Resurrection. Then, risen Jesus drew himself to these “lost sheep” as a
shepherd reaches out to redeem his lost sheep (cf. Matthew 18:12-14). But,
these two disciples could not recognize risen Jesus as their grief and
ignorance prevented their eyes from seeing.
Risen Jesus pretended as if he knew nothing about
what happened to Jesus, whom they were talking as he joined their conversation.
In response, they filled him in. And, as he listened to their complete story
about what they knew about Jesus and what happened to him, risen Jesus said, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart
to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Messiah
should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”(Luke 24;25-26). From
that point on, it was risen Jesus who took the upper hand, as he explain what
he meant by this to them, opening the Scriptures. Also, this statement of risen
Jesus to the disciples reflects Peter’s speech in the First Reading and his
statement in the Second Reading as to Jesus’ Passion and Resurrection in regard
to his glory.
By the time they came to Emmaus, it was almost
sundown. So, they invited their companion, who gave an explanation of the
Scriptures on the way, to stay with them for the evening. And, he agreed. The,
as he gave blessing and broke the bread, immediately, their eyes opened
completely and recognized risen Jesus, making their hearts on fire. “Were not our heats burning while he spoke to
us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32), said to each
other, then.
Jesus disappeared as he finished his mission there. And, these disciples got up and ran back to Jerusalem to tell their encounter with risen Jesus to the rest of the disciples. Yes, they were reunited with the rest of the disciples, as lost sheep were brought back.
Jesus disappeared as he finished his mission there. And, these disciples got up and ran back to Jerusalem to tell their encounter with risen Jesus to the rest of the disciples. Yes, they were reunited with the rest of the disciples, as lost sheep were brought back.
And, this is the path of life – moving away from
Jerusalem but returning in haste to Jerusalem as their hearts were transformed
from grief-ridden to being on fire.
Now, focusing on their statement in v. 32, their
hearts were gradually warmed up as risen Jesus preached on the Scriptures on
the way to Emmaus. Then, the hearts got on fire as risen Jesus broke the bread.
This strain of the Word explained by Jesus and the
Bread broken by Jesus in this Gospel narrative reflects the two pillar of Mass:
the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. This suggests that we
must be transformed as these disciples were at Mass through the Word and the
Bread. Our Mass is the path of life.
Actually, as the content of today’s First Reading
took place on the day of Pentecost and the content of today’s Gospel reading
took place on the day of Resurrection,
these readings connect the beginning and ending of Paschal Season: the
day of Resurrection and the day of Pentecost. In between these two major feast
days, there is the path of life to transform us, from being disciples to
apostles.
Changing our life is not just for Lent and Paschal
Triduum. Our transformation journey continues on beyond Resurrection, after the
Passion and Death of Christ, growing further in our relationship with the risen
Christ.
Now we are entering the third week of this Paschal
Season as our celebration of the Resurrection of Christ continues on. How are
we being transformed with the Word and the Bread as we are on the path of life
that Jesus set for us through his Passion and Resurrection?
And, risen Jesus, who seeks out those who are still
lost, is, indeed, the Good Shepherd, whom we celebrate next Sunday, Good
Shepherd Sunday.
Cristo resucitado, que busca a los perdidos, es el
Buen Pastor.
Cristo resucitado, que nos transforma con su Palabra
y particion del Pan, es nuestro camino de vida.
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