Stay with us Lord

Acts 3:1-10, Lk. 24:13-35. Different encounters with the risen Lord show that we cannot remain the same after a unique encounter with the Risen Christ. From sitting by the tomb and weeping, Mary Magdalene found herself running to inform the brothers that He is risen; and from ‘looking downcast’ Cleopas and his companion set out and returned to Jerusalem. Yes, Jesus restores life. He restores the health of the man at the Beautiful Gate through Peter and John in today's first reading. When the two Apostles passed by, the crippled man also asked them for money, but Peter told him that he had nothing on him except what had been given to him, the power and authority to heal in the 'Name of Jesus'.

What happens when things appear to be going to the opposite direction from our expectation; when an experience seem to drain our whole energy? In today's Gospel, Cleopas and his colleague backed off from Jerusalem, where it had been happening. Though disappointed that Jesus whom they "had hoped" was the Messiah is no more, they attempted to go back to their business as usual. However, after a special encounter with Christ they asked that Jesus should remain with them. Their opening up to Jesus led Him to a prolong proclamation of the salvation history to them. That prepares them, such that the disciples who were in a state of ‘down cast’ while on the way got ‘revived’: “He took bread, said the blessing, broke it and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognised him.” The same Jesus in the Upper Room is the same on the Cross; Jesus on the road to Emmaus is the same in the Breaking of the Bread, in the Eucharist. Today, we are enjoined to form good attitude towards the Eucharistic Jesus and recognise Him when we receive Him.

May the Lord awaken our hearts and make us willing to be bearers of light and hope in our communities! Amen!! Stay safe, It is well with you!!!