Homily (Reflection) for Third Sunday of
Easter ((B) 15th April, 2018) on the Gospel
Acts 3:13-15.17-19;
Ps 4:2.4.7.9 (R.V. 7);1Jn 2:1-5;
Lk 24:35-48.
A man was notoriously known for his
stinginess and self-centredness. One day, he was called upon to assist someone
who had accident. He thought briefly and excused himself thinking that no
member of his family would be there at that point.
Just before the dusk, he was informed that his only son died
of the injuries he sustained from an accident. He later discovered that his son
was the person he was asked to help some hours ago. Because he could not help,
he had lost so much blood before he was taken to the hospital. And to worsen
the situation, his blood group could not be found in the hospital’s blood bank.
As a result, all the efforts made by the doctors and nurses to save his life proved
abortive.
Topic: We ought to recognise Jesus.
The first verse of today’s gospel reads
“... they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to
them in the breaking of the bread” (Lk
24:35). It is important to emphasize that these disciples never knew it was
Jesus before the breaking of the bread. Similarly, in the Book of Genesis, we also
read about Abraham:
He looked up and saw three men standing near
him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed
down to the ground. He said, ‘My Lord, if I find favour with you, do not pass
by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest
yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh
yourselves, and after that you may pass on – since you have come to your
servant’ (Gen 18:2-5).
It was only after the wonderful show
of hospitality that one of them said to him before leaving: “... I will surely
return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son” (Gen 18:10).
As I reflect on this very first verse of
today’s gospel, questions came up. I would like to share just some of them with
you. First, the two disciples never knew that it was Jesus who appeared to them
yet they were kind to him in so many ways which include offering him a shelter
for the night, cf. Lk 24:29. And ‘how
many times have I met Jesus and what did I do?’ Secondly, how Abraham treated
God’s angels seemed to have brought the fulfilment of God’s promise of a child closer.
And I asked myself again, ‘How many times have I denied myself God’s blessings
by not welcoming him?’ We must remember always that whatever either good or
evil we do even to the least of our brothers and sisters we did to God, cf. Matt 25:40,45. And whether we do good
or evil to others, we must surely receive their rewards, cf. Matt 25:46.
Although that man in our story who lost his only son as a
result of his refusal to offer help was in serious pain, but that pain cannot
be compared with what a soul will suffer if it was not able to unite with God. Hence
Saint Augustine rightly said that a soul is restless until it rests in God. May
we therefore follow the example of the risen Christ, who is the good Samaritan par
excellence and be neighbours to others, cf. Lk 10:34. Finally, Jesus is still going around in different forms. Do
not let Him pass you by without blessing you.
Bible Reading: Gen 18:1-15; Matt 25:31-46; Lk 10:25-37.
Thought for today:
Recall how many times you have encountered Christ without knowing it? Although
you could not see his face, were you able to receive Him?
Let us pray: My Lord and my God, give us your grace that will
enable us see you in our fellow human beings and welcome you as we ought. We
ask this through Christ our Lord – Amen.
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free to share this reflection with others if you consider it worthy.
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