|
|
|
|
Word To Life
|
Sunday Scripture Readings, April 4, 2010
By Sharon K. Perkins
Catholic News Service
April 4, Easter Sunday
Cycle C Readings:
1) Acts 10:34a, 37-43
Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
2) Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8
Gospel: Luke 24:13-35
I am at an age where I need to wear glasses for reading but not for driving. That means if I forget to take off my glasses while walking down a flight of stairs, I run the risk of misjudging the distance, missing a step and falling. If I don't wear them when I need to sign my name on a sales slip, I sometimes write on the wrong line. I'd prefer not to wear glasses at all -- but as I've learned the hard way, when I can't see clearly what's right in front of my face, it's time to seek optical assistance.
The readings for Easter are about things hidden and things visible, about people thinking that they see things clearly while completely missing what is right in front of them. The two disciples on the road to Emmaus had envisioned the redemption of Israel until Jesus' crucifixion turned their hope to an illusion. Although women from their group had reported a "vision of angels," they themselves saw nothing at the empty tomb to reassure them.
Cleopas and his friend took their unidentified traveling companion to task for being ignorant of recent events in Jerusalem -- yet they were blind to their true significance. It was only when Jesus interpreted the Scriptures and broke the bread in their presence that they recognized him.
Why do we observe the feast of the Resurrection year after year? What is the purpose of commemorating every Sunday as a "little Easter"? And why is frequent celebration of the Eucharist essential to Jesus' followers? Because, as St. Paul reminds us, our lives are "hidden with Christ in God," and it is by repeatedly sharing the deeper meaning of the Scriptures and breaking bread in communion with one another that Jesus and the ultimate purpose of our lives in him become visible once more.
Left to the limitations of physical sight, we cannot see the risen Lord in our midst, nor can we perceive his presence in the people he has placed directly in our line of vision. But in Jesus' precious gift of Eucharist, we are given all of the "optical assistance" we need to see him clearly -- and as the psalmist proclaims, "It is wonderful in our eyes."
QUESTIONS:
When have you been blind to the presence of the risen Lord directly before your eyes? How can this Easter celebration bring you to a deeper commitment to Jesus in the Eucharist?
SCRIPTURE TO BE ILLUSTRATED:
"God ... granted that he be visible, not to all the people, but to us" (Acts 10:40-41).
END
Copyright © 2009 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS Word To Life column may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service.
|
|
|
|
