IF YOU WANT TO ENCOUNTER JESUS, RECOGNIZE HIM FIRST.

 Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Octave of Easter 

First Reading. Acts 3: 1-10

Psalm. 105: 1-4, 6-9 (R. 3b)

Gospel. Luke 24: 13-35

TOPIC FOR REFLECTION 

 DO YOU ENCOUNTER JESUS AT THE BREAKING OF BREAD? 

Every Christian, and especially Catholic, should recognize Jesus each time the bread is broken at every mass. 

Whoever does not recognize Jesus, cannot encounter Him. 

We need to recognize first before we can encounter Him. Do you know that Jesus is always with us, but we fail to encounter Him because we could not recognize His presence with us? 

He died for our sins and rose to die no more. So our hope is not in vain. 

I once listened to a video clip recently from a professor who said he was a lecturer in Australia, though he did not mention his name, and among his numerous speech, he said this and I quote: 

It is only Jesus that is being referred to  

"He was dead, and now He is alive", 

To every other humanity

"He was alive, and now he is dead"

Invariably, Jesus died and today He is alive, while human being once lived, and now is dead. 

So, as Jesus is alive now, try to have an encounter with Jesus. 

The lame at the gate of the temple encountered Jesus through Peter and John. Peter performed the miracle in the name of Jesus. 

The two disciples traveling to  Emmaus encountered Jesus, and though they did not recognize Him initially, but when He broke the bread, they recognize Him. 

This was Jesus' first appearance to His disciples after the resurrection. 

Let us try to recognize the presence of Christ in our lives, this will enable us to encounter Him, especially at the breaking of bread during Mass. 

Peace ✌️ be with you. 

Rev. Fr. Segun Oladeji, CRS. 


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