Third Sunday of Easter
Also Read: Mass Readings for 14 April 2024 Mass Reading Reflection for 14 April 2024
Gospel: Luke 24: 35-48
The two disciples who met Jesus on the way to Emmaus returned to Jerusalem immediately. They were explaining their experience with the eleven apostles and other disciples; then Jesus appeared and had the events as we heard from the final reading today.
A lot can happen when Christians get together. Because, when Christians are together, Jesus is among them. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them” (Mt 18: 20). Jesus does not make false promises.
We are called to come together regularly. That is why the Church calls every Christian to come together on Sundays to worship God, to listen to His Words broken and distributed from the pulpit, and to break the bread at the altar and share the body of Christ with due preparation.
Sunday is a blessing!
Sunday is not only a day of worship. It is a blessing in itself.
Look at the elderly couple participating in the Sunday mass and receiving the blessed sacrament. The husband is blind and lovingly led by his wife. It is the only day they come out of their tiny house in the entire week. Apart from the spiritual benefits they get social and emotional benefits. Before and after the holy mass they are greeted and acknowledged by their old and young friends. Even the perks themselves are so attractive. The radiance on their faces betrays that they are eagerly waiting for the Sundays to come.
Socialization with people of different age groups and ethnicities makes us more open and vibrant. A Christian Sunday helps us to network with people from different walks of life. It gently prompts us to organize to help and support those in need. It helps us have some lighter moments with old and new friends.
Many propagate that Christianity is concerned about our eternity alone. False! Christianity is about bringing heaven to earth before we reach heaven. Jesus came to bring heaven to earth. He taught us to love one another as in heaven. Heaven is not about revenge, hatred, lust, or jealousy. It’s about love, caring, sharing, forgiving and so on. Staying away from negative tendencies is important to qualify us for heaven here on earth and in the life after. If we don’t participate in creating heaven on earth, we don’t merit to participate in heaven in the afterlife. We are animated to congregate to create earthly editions of heaven.
It is time to reinvent our Sundays. It’s about regrouping around Christ once again just as the disciples did on that beautiful day described in the Gospel. They had different experiences during those days, they shared them, and suddenly they found Jesus among them. Let us also gather in our churches, meet one another, share our Christ experiences, and meet Christ among us, as per His promise.
Let us thank the Lord for the Sundays and make the best of them. Make them holy days once again.
Amen.
