A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 24:35-48)
The disciples of Jesus recounted what had taken place along the way, and how they had come to recognize him in the breaking of bread. While they were speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost.
Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.
He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.”
Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”
The Gospel of the Lord
Reflection:
Today, in fact, the entire season of Easter, will be like no other in recent memory with the passing of our beloved Pope Francis, Vicar of Christ and successor of St. Peter. It is difficult, if not impossible, to go about our daily routines while we are mourning his passing. As we pray for his soul, we must also pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the church leaders when they come together to elect the new Pope. With that in mind, let us approach today’s Gospel.
If we superimpose this passage upon the life of Pope Francis, there is very little doubt that his life was dedicated to fulfilling Jesus’ words to his disciples from the moment God called him to the priesthood until his last breath as Pope.
As a Father, as Bishop and finally as a Pope, he lived his life imitating the simplicity and humbleness of Jesus. Moreover, just like Jesus in the previous and in this passage, Pope Frances helped open sacred scripture to the entire world and, thus helping the world to know God better. Pope Francis, through evangelization, exhortation and, above all, through honest and open dialogue, he invited anyone to seek Jesus: The Lamb of God who offered up himself as an offering to God and for our transgressions.
Like Christ in today’s passage, Pope Francis, particularly in the last years and months, never shied away from showing the world a body crippled by pain and infirmity. He struggled with upper-respiratory issues since his early 20’s. But he never used it as an excuse. On the contrary, he used that struggle as a motivator to continue God’s work. He used it indirectly to show the world that God never promised a life without pain, but that pain is not just part of who we are, but we must use it to help us transform and transcend this world.
We are called to do the same. We are not the Pope, we are not a Cardinal or a Bishop, but we are an important part of our community and family. As such, we are also called to live a life imitating that of Jesus. We are also called, not just to learn more and understand sacred scripture better, but to pass on that knowledge to those around us. We are called to be witnesses as well.
And let me finish this reflection by praying with you the Fourth day in the Novena for Pope Francis….
Authentic Teacher of the Faith
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
A reading from the Catechism of the Catholic Church
“The Roman Pontiff and the bishops are ‘authentic teachers, that is, teachers endowed with the authority of Christ, who preach the faith to the people entrusted to them, the faith to be believed and put into practice’ (Lumen gentium, 25). The ordinary and universal Magisterium of the Pope and the bishops in communion with him teach the faithful the truth to believe, the charity to practice, the beatitude to hope for. (no. 2034).”
(Pause for silent prayer)
Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.
— And let perpetual light shine upon him.
O God, who in your wondrous providence chose your servant Pope Francis to preside over your Church, grant, we pray, that, having served as the Vicar of your Son on earth, he may be welcomed by him into eternal glory.
Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Action of the Day:
I invite you to reflect on these three questions: 1) How is your life a reflection of Jesus’ life? 2) How are your wounds transforming you and help you transcend this material world? and 3) How are you helping pass on the knowledge and understanding of sacred scripture?
Audio Reflection:
