DAILY- HOMILY

APRIL 26, 2009
3RD SUNDAY OF EASTER – B

ACTS 3:13-15, 17-19
Peter said to the people: "The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and
the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant
Jesus, whom you handed over and denied in Pilate's presence when he
had decided to release him. You denied the Holy and Righteous One and
asked that a murderer be released to you. The author of life you put
to death, but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses.
Now I know, brothers, that you acted out of ignorance, just as your
leaders did; but God has thus brought to fulfillment what he had
announced beforehand through the mouth of all the prophets, that his
Christ would suffer. Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your
sins may be wiped away."

1 JOHN 2:1-5A
My children, I am writing this to you so that you may not commit sin.
But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus
Christ the righteous one. He is expiation for our sins, and not for
our sins only but for those of the whole world. The way we may be sure
that we know him is to keep his commandments. Those who say, "I know
him," but do not keep his commandments are liars, and the truth is not
in them. But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly
perfected in him.

LUKE 24:35-48
The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way, and how
Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of bread. While they were
still 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."

REFLECTION
Today's Gospel is again one of the Resurrection appearances of Jesus,
somewhat similar to last week's account where Jesus greets the
apostles who were all huddled in fear. Whereas last week's version was
that of John, today's version by Luke is a continuation of the
incident of the two disciples who are leaving Jerusalem and heading to
Emmaus. Along the way, they meet Jesus but it is only during the
breaking of the bread that they recognize the risen Lord. Now that
they are sharing their experiences, Jesus suddenly appears offering
reconciliation with his friends.

In this incident, the apostles were in disbelief. In order to appease
their misgivings, Jesus tells them to look at his hands and feet and
to touch him. This will prove that he is not a ghost as he has flesh
and bone. Then, in an unprecedented move, Jesus asks for something to
eat. It is a complete reversal of what they were accustomed to when
Jesus fed the hungry. Now, Jesus shares his mission with his friends
by asking them to feed him.

What is the significance of touch? In the Philippines, it is common
for many people to ask their elders for their blessing by the usual
"mano po" as a sign of respect or to seek blessings and even healing.
We know very well the effect of a touch or pat on the shoulder that
can somehow encourage us especially when we feel downtrodden. Touch is
indeed one of our senses that can be more used as it is significant.
With touch, words are not necessary to express one's feelings.

And so, when Jesus invites his disciples to touch him, it was his way
of transforming their fears and doubts about him to faith in him,
their fear to trust and their restlessness to a serenity and
equanimity. When we receive the Holy Communion, we touch Jesus and
pray that he may transform us into a new person, that we may be moved
to turn away from our previous sinful life to a new holy existence.
This, in turn, may hopefully bring about a desire in us to likewise
touch the lives of others especially those who feel neglected and
abandoned. We hope that our concern and care for others serve as light
to help them out from whatever darkness that engulfs them.

In this joyful Easter season, let us pray for a deeper appreciation
and understanding of the sense of touch that would hopefully bring
about conversion not only of ourselves but also to those whose lives
we touch.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the healing and strength of:
- Jose Lara
- Chari
- Christy Chin
- Sophia Gonzalez
- Florencia W. Acuña
- Mylene Lingad
- Lisa
- Eligia Fernando
- Marlyn Tadeo
… for the safety of Johnson Cuiting
… for the personal intentions of Mariano Montemayor
… for the healing and peace of all families
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Yvonne Lucindo
- In Memoriam (+): Victor Takai
… for the healing and peace of all families

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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