Wednesday in the Octave of Easter
The burial of a loved one is sobering. When the body is lowered into the tomb and earth covers it, reality sets in. Two men were still trying to make sense Jesus’ death as they walked to Emmaus. He was really gone. Why did all these things happen? And now there are rumors that his tomb is empty.
A fellow traveler joined their conversation. He reminded them that the law (Moses) and the prophets had foretold that the Messiah would suffer the very things that Jesus the Nazorean had suffered. Intrigued, the two men invited him to join them for supper. When the stranger said the blessing and broke the bread, his voice and his actions jolted their memory, and they recognized the stranger as Jesus. Their hearts could hardly be contained, and they ran back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples who they had seen.
The healing of the crippled beggar by Peter at the Beautiful Gate of the temple reminds us of the healing of the paralytic man by Jesus (Matthew 9: 1-8; Mark 2: 1-12; Luke 5: 17-25). Jesus healed through his own power. Peter acted in the name of Jesus Christ. Such action could only have been done by a person of great faith who did not doubt. The Spirit was building upon “Rock,” all the while making sure that the foundation included humility.
Reflection by Br. Jacob Kubajak, OSB
Posted in Article for Easter, Daily Reflections