Wednesday 8^th April – Wednesday of the Octave of Easter

Reflection: Luke 24:13-35

DO YOU RECOGNISE HIM?

Blindness, according to the dictionary, is a state of not being able to see. It is an impediment in vision which may be total or partial. Though we often think of blindness only in the physical sense, there is a spiritual dimension to it. Spiritual blindness occurs when an individual cannot discern spiritual truths. He does not understand the things that are eternal. Hence, while physical blindness may be cured by medicine, spiritual blindness can be cured only by God through the Holy Spirit.

In today’s gospel reading, the disciples were unable to identify Jesus because something prevented them (Luke 24:16). What prevents you from recognizing Jesus?  Is it sin, doubt, pride or ignorance? Is it prestige, wealth, or other attractions and distractions of life? The disciples were blindfolded with doubt and hopelessness. Even while He taught them on the way, they still did not recognize him until at the breaking of bread. How often do we frequent the sacrifice of the Mass and partake of the Holy Eucharist? Do we recognize Jesus in this precious gift?

Beloved, our blindness can be cured by God if we realize that we are blind and allow Him to heal us. The disciples reported that their “hearts burned within them as Christ explained the scriptures to them”. Their recognition of Jesus was already underway but reached its fullness as He broke the bread. Let us imbibe the habit of studying the Scripture and embrace the frequent attendance at Mass that we may recognize our Lord in the breaking of the bread. As we do this we will recognize him in the poor and in our brethren too.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, I thank you for your special interest in me. Please remove all blindness in me so that I may recognize you and love you more. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 1343 – It was above all on “the first day of the week,” Sunday, the day of Jesus’ resurrection that the Christians met “to break bread.” From that time on down to our own day the celebration of the Eucharist has been continued so that today we encounter it everywhere in the Church with the same fundamental structure. It remains the centre of the Church’s life.

HIDE A TREASURE: “My dear friend, I pray that everything may go well with you and that you may be in good health as I know you are well in spirit” 3 John 1:2 GNB

Today’s reading: Acts 3:1-10; Psalm 105:1-9; Luke 24:13-35