Acts 3:13-15,17-19
13 The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him.14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
15 and killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.17 “And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled.
19 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
1 John 2:1-5
1 My little children, I am writing this to you so that you may not sin; but if any one does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
2 and he is the expiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.3 And by this we may be sure that we know him, if we keep his commandments.4 He who says “I know him” but disobeys his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him;5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly love for God is perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in him:
Luke 24:35-48
35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.36 As they were saying this, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you.”37 But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit.38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts?39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have.”40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
41 And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?”42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish,43 and he took it and ate before them.44 Then he said to them, “These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled.”45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures,
46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.48 You are witnesses of these things.
MEDITATION
THE FIRST READING describes Peter delivering a stinging message to an astounded crowd after he healed the cripple beggar at the temple. Without mincing his words,Peter points to his hearers and accuses them of having acted in ignorance in the presence of Pilate when they denied the Son of God the Author of life. Peter wished to impress the severity of the people’s actions and at the same time he clarified that Christ’s death and resurrection is the fulfilment of God’s plan for man. God’s people are now called to repent so that transformation of their hearts and minds can be effected!
St JOHN in his epistle presents himself as a concerned loving father who writes to his children imploring them to not sin! In the event that the people do sin John points to a healing remedy, Christ Jesus the advocate who shall intercede before the Father on behalf of the people. John underpins his teaching by positing that our [knowing] Christ must comport with our way of life.If not, then we are liars and hypocrites! Our obedience to God will perfect our love of Him which is a description of a saintly person.
St LUKE’S GOSPEL narrates Jesus’ sudden appearance in the midst of the apostles showering them with peace, whilst the men from Emmaus reported how they recognized Christ in the breaking of bread! Christ no doubt wished to corroborate the testimony of the two disciples to expel any notion that the men’s witness account was off base! Our Lord’s glorified state astounded the apostles when He also asked for something to eat which in no uncertain terms brings them to believe that He has risen and conquered death.
The OT makes it clear that each family member sitting at table had to partake in the Passover meal (haggadah) eating the unblemished lamb that was slained and roasted for the remission of their sins (Ex 12:5-14), prefiguring the passover meal our Lord instituted.It was certainly not an optional event.
We notice that Christ wished to show the apostles that the wounds (Stigmata) in his hands,feet and side were not healed!! Herein Christ demonstrates that every time you and I sin we individually question and stigmatize His teachings that He is truly present in the form of bread and wine-food for forgiveness- that leads to causing Him further pain and suffering! This revelation comports with the New Covenant worship Rite (Lk 22:11-20;1Cor 11:20-25) when the earthly priests daily offer the Sacrifice of the Mass for the expiation of the sins of the people. Holy Mass is the preeminent mode of worship instituted by our Lord bringing us into communion with Him whereby we are showered with His sanctifying grace as we kneel at the foot of the cross at Calvary!
STIGMATA EXPLAINED:
LET US PRAY: Psalms 4:2,4,7-8
2 O men, how long shall my honor suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies?4 Be angry, but sin not; commune with your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.7 Thou hast put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for thou alone, O LORD, makest me dwell in safety.
catholicwitnessct@gmail.com Henry R SYLVESTER
Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast
Morning Coffee Meditations. 
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