The two disciples who recognized the Risen One in the breaking of bread. Christ indeed from death is risen,

as he had done on the Emmaus road, the Anointed One of God had to suffer;

that he then had to rise from the dead to a new form of life; our new life obtaining,

And that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to al the nations.

 

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Acts 3:11-26

While he clung to Peter and John,

All the people, struck with astonishment, came running to them in Solomon's Porch, as it was called. When Peter saw the people, he said to them, "Fellow Israelites, why are you amazed at this? Why do you stare at us, as if it was by some power or holiness of our own, that we made this man walk?

 

The God of Abraham, of Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over to death and denied before Pilate; when even Pilate had decided to release him. You rejected the Holy and Just One; and you insisted that a murderer be released to you. You killed the Master of life, but God raised him from the dead; and we are witnesses to this.

 

It is his Name, and faith in his Name, that has healed this man, whom you see and recognize. The faith that comes through Jesus has given him wholeness in the presence of all of you. Yet, I know that you acted out of ignorance, as did your leaders. God has fulfilled, in this way, what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer.

 

Repent, then, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out; and the time of refreshment may come by the mercy of God, when he sends the Messiah appointed for you, Jesus. For he must remain in heaven, until the time of the universal restoration, which God spoke of long ago, through his holy prophets.

 

Moses foretold this, when he said: The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet, like me, from among your own people; you shall listen to him in all that he says to you. Whoever does not listen to that prophet is to be cut off from among his people.

 

In fact, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel onward, have announced the events of these days. You are the children of the prophets, and heirs of the Covenant that God gave to your ancestors, when he said to Abraham: All the families of the earth will be blessed through your descendant. It is to you, first, that God sends his Servant; he raised him to life, to bless you, by turning each of you from your wicked ways."

 

Ps 8:2ab, 5, 6-7, 8-9 O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊     

Luke 24:35-48 

Then the two told what had happened on the road to Emmaus, and how Jesus had made himself known, when he broke bread with them. While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood in their midst. (He said to them, "Peace to you.") In their panic and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost, but he said to them, "Why are you upset, and how does such an idea cross your minds?

 

Look at my hands and feet, and see that it is I myself! Touch me, and see for yourselves, for a ghost has no flesh and bones as I have!" (As he said this, he showed his hands and feet.)

Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, as they were astonished; so he said to them, "Have you anything to eat?" And they gave him a piece of broiled fish. He took it, and ate it before them.

 

Then Jesus said to them, "Remember the words I spoke to you when I was still with you: Everything written about me in the law of Moses, in the prophets and in the psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said, "So it was written: the Messiah had to suffer, and on the third day rise from the dead. Then repentance and forgiveness in his name would be proclaimed to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"It is Jesus."

In today's Gospel, Jesus again appeared to his disciples. They were terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Jesus assured them that it is him. It is Jesus. It is Jesus who casts all our fears away. Jesus' glorified body gives us the assurance that, no matter how troubling the situation may be, everything will eventually be in place.

 

We only need to keep on relating well with one another. We are challenged to cultivate a relationship which is characterized by mutual love and care. It is interesting to reflect on today's Gospel narrating Jesus eating a piece of broiled fish given by his disciples. We may recall that in the end of the Emmaus story, it was Jesus who broke the bread and gave it to the two disciples. The two disciples then were the recipients of the bread given by Jesus. Today's Gospel implies that when he received the piece of broiled fish and ate it before his disciples Jesus was reminding them of the beauty of mutual relationship.