Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress": Easter Thurs.

April 24, 2014: Easter Thursday (Thursday in the Octave of Easter)

Readings

Acts 3:11-26 Peter at Solomon's Portico after cripple's healing: “Why are you amazed, and why do you look at us as if we cured him? God glorified Jesus; you killed him, but God raised him. Faith in Jesus cured the man. God fulfilled the prophecies that his Christ would suffer. Repent and be converted so your sins may be wiped away and God may send you Jesus, and in your offspring all shall be blessed.”

Ps 8:2ab, 5-9 "O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth!" You've crowned him and given him dominion over created things.

Lk 24:35-48 They recounted how they recognized Jesus in the breaking of bread. Jesus came: “Peace!” but they thought him a ghost. “Look at my hands and feet, and touch me; a ghost has no flesh or bones.” They were joyful and amazed. “Have you anything to eat?” They gave him fish, and he ate it. “I told you everything about me in the law, prophets, and psalms must be fulfilled.... It is written the Christ would suffer and rise, and that repentance would be preached to all. You're witnesses.”

Pope Francis

Homily: Instead of rejoicing over his resurrection, the disciples were afraid. Some Christians are afraid of being close to Jesus because this gives us joy; that's why so many are sad, preferring the shadows, not the light of joy, like bats. But Jesus gives us the joy of being Christians and following him. Do you talk with Jesus, saying, ‘I believe you're alive and near me and won't abandon me’? Christian life should be dialogue with Jesus, because he's always alongside us with our problems and good works.

‘After you get burnt by boiling milk, when you see a cow you start crying.’ Fearful Christians are defeated by the cross, burnt by its drama. Lord, open our minds as you did for them, so we understand you're alive, have a body, are with us, and have won.

The appearance of Christ at the Cenacle/ Tissot

Music

At the Lamb’s high feast/ tr. Campbell
Celebrate (He Lives)/ Hammond
This day was made by the Lord/ Walker [with Spotify login, free or paid]
See yesterday for two good Emmaus tunes (beginning of gospel)

Reflections

Creighton: This week's gospels unpack Jesus’ resurrection from the disciples' perspective. What was it like for them to encounter Jesus after his crucifixion? Encountering Jesus changes us; we encounter him in others, and in the faith community. Be attentive to the ways Jesus encounters us, in the poor, sick, needy, and those who love us and invite us to love.

Passionist: Touching brings the object touched deeply into our mind and heart. Jesus commands us to touch and see his wounds. Touch God's love for us; touch the wounds of the Risen Christ!

DailyScripture.net: "Jesus showed them real hands and a real side, really ate, walked, and talked, reclined at supper, and broke bread." (St. Jerome, letter to Pammachius against John of Jerusalem 34) The gospel goes beyond the cross to victory and glory. Jesus shows us the way and gives us the power to overcome sin and everything else in the way of his love and truth. We're called to witness to the resurrection to all. Do I?

Moved to greater love: Pray for grace to rejoice in Jesus' love for me as I see his wounds. I'm in the upper room; how do I respond to reports Jesus is alive? When he invites me to touch and see, what do I do/say? How do I witness to his being alive, to his wounds?