Third Sunday of Easter

Gospel – Luke 24:35-48

You Be Jesus!

Praying at the Wailing Wall

We have heard part of this Gospel story before and recently, on the Thursday after Easter Sunday.  At that time, we reflected on the 2 disciples as they travelled on the way to Emmaus, disheartened and downcast after Jesus’ crucifixion and death.  And we reflected on the journey that we all take through life, with its ups and downs, trials and tribulations.  And we were reminded that, no matter what we were going through, Jesus was still right there beside us, that we are never alone.

Today’s Gospel picks up right after the events on the road to Emmaus.  The disciples have returned to Jerusalem and recounted their story of meeting Jesus and recognizing Him in the breaking of the bread.  And then Jesus appears to all of them and speaks words of comfort.  And after eating a piece of fish, He teaches them the meaning of the Scriptures!  And He then commands them to preach His message to all nations and to be witnesses of the Faith!   He commissions them to be Christ-like and to spread the Word!

Imagine their response!  Who, me?  I keep getting this image of the old Life cereal commercial – I’m not gonna try it, you try it!  Let someone else go first!  It reminds me of a story!

There’s a story about a young mother who was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, age 5 and Ryan, age 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. So she said to the boys: “If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, ‘Let my brother have the first pancake. I can wait.’” Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, “Ryan, you be Jesus!

We are all Christian!  We are all called to be Christ-like.  But if we are really honest with ourselves, none of us really wants the job!  To be Christ to others?  Nope, too tough, too demanding!  I mean, we are only human.  Let’s face it, in one sense Kevin gets it!  He recognizes that being Christ-like is tough.  But even though he knows it’s the right thing to do, he chooses the easy way and passes it off to his brother.

Just like those 2 disciples on the way to Emmaus, we have all traveled that difficult road, a path of pain and sorrow and loss. And we also know all those friends and family members who are continuing to struggle to raise themselves up out of the darkness of despair and fear!

Look out for them.  Offer a word of encouragement.  Call them to see how they’re doing.  Wave to them from across the street! Send a card or an email. Find a way to let them know they aren’t alone, that you are walking this path with them. Remind them (and yourselves) that even though the road to Emmaus was filled with tears and sadness, the road back to Jerusalem was one of hope, filled with the joy of the Resurrection.

Be a good neighbor!  Be a good friend! Be JESUS!!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
  Sunday – 13 th Sunday in Ordinary Time   revisited Gospel – Matthew 10:37-42 The Cost/Rewards of Discipleship Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem I’m holding in my hand a simple piece of paper, barely bigger than an index card.   It’s a mini-golf scorecard and it’s 47 years old.   At the time, the game itself probably cost only about $6.   Certainly a lot less than you would pay today.   So the cost today doesn’t seem like much.   But for me all that time ago, it was a wealth of money.   So it cost me a lot.   But the rewards of the card?   Well, that is priceless.   This was one of the first dates Ginger and I went on.   And who would have guessed how that would turn out?   All the memories we have shared, painful and joyful.   All the times we have shared together and the people who have touched our lives!   Priceless! Cost and reward!   Two vastly different concepts but they play a key role in all of today’s readings.   In the first reading, a rich woman goes out of her way t
Read more
Image
  14 th Sunday in Ordinary Time   revisited Gospel – Matthew 11:25-30 The “Little Ones” Open Market, Jerusalem There’s a story about a rather eccentric teacher who was always looking for creative ways to test (torture) his students.   Sometimes it was crazy project and sometimes it was a wacky exam that tested not just their knowledge but also their experience. So one day he hands out a test, typical normal test, Q/A, except this was the last question.   What’s the name of the school janitor?   One of his students looked at the question and thought – I know he’s short, wears glasses and has light brown hair but how in the world would I know his name?   So he left it blank and turned in his paper. When class was over, he went up to the teacher and asked whether that last question would count in the test grade.   Absolutely, said the teacher.   Throughout your whole life, you will find that every person you cross paths with is important, significant.   They deserve you
Read more
Image
  16 th Sunday in Ordinary Time   revisited Gospel – Matthew 13:24-30 Be Patient, My Child Tied Up in Knots! Many years ago, I remember one summer when it was time for our daughter Jaime to learn how to ride a bicycle.   So I took off the training wheels, she climbed onto the bike and proceeded to take off.   I followed close behind, holding onto the back bumper, trying to keep the bike upright and trying to make sure she didn’t fall.   It was exhausting for both of us.   I thought I was being a good dad by doing everything I could to keep her from falling.   But it didn’t work.   We were both getting frustrated.   Finally, she had had enough and she banished me to sit on the front porch while she worked it out on her own.   It took time and it took a lot of patience, something neither one of us had much of at the start of the process. I was getting impatient with the process and she was getting impatient with me.   Patience was in short supply.   But in the end, patience w
Read more