O FOOLISH MEN…

Acts 3:1-10 
1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at that gate of the temple which is called Beautiful to ask alms of those who entered the temple.
3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms.4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, with John, and said, “Look at us.”
5 And he fixed his attention upon them, expecting to receive something from them.
6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.8 And leaping up he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God,10 and recognized him as the one who sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Luke 24:13-35 

13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem,14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened.15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad.
18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened.
22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning23 and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see.”25 And he said to them, “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”27 And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further,29 but they constrained him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them.30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them.31 And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight.32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?”33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them,34 who said, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”
35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

MEDITATION 

St LUKE THE APOSTLE recount the occasion when a man who was born lame who did not receive the money he wanted which had become his daily sorryful crutch. Instead Peter and John gave this man what he needed, when they restored his body, dignity and human faculties so he could make and be a contribution to society! With this said, the man instantaneously began to give witness to God’s saving work of grace and love when he was miraculously healed by the two Apostles!

THE GOSPEL READING: Whilst reflecting and wrestling with the tragic events that played out a few days before in Jerusalem, the two Emmaus dwellers is joined and accompanied by an apparent stranger who was seemingly oblivious of the things that happened concerning Jesus of Nazareth. Inspite of our Lord’s efforts to catechize these men when He unpacked the OT sacred text, they so-to-speak couldn’t connect the dots until He broke the bread which opened their eyes that this person was not an ignorant stranger, instead He was the risen Lord who appeared to Simon Peter on the beach on Easter Sunday!

It is indeed regrettable and foolish of us to use our sickness, unemployment, moral disorders or dissibilities as a crutch, to promote our victim hood status to extort money, food or compassion from ignorant passersby, who are not interested in our wellbeing or our spiritual or bodily restoration! We who have come to know Christ through the Church who gave us the Sacred Scriptures and the Holy Sacraments must be circumspect of the motives of beggars, moaners and groaners, by also offering them Jesus who desire to heal, illuminate and share a meal that feed the soul and remit venial sins towards goodness and mery!

LET US PRAY:Psalms 105:1-4,6-9

1 O give thanks to the LORD, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples!2 Sing to him, sing praises to him, tell of all his wonderful works!3 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!4 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his presence continually!
6 O offspring of Abraham his servant, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!7 He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.8 He is mindful of his covenant for ever, of the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,9 the covenant which he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac,

Commentary. 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 days.