Thursday in the Octave of Easter
Acts 3:11-26  +  Luke 24:35-48
April 20, 2017

“Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures.”

It is only in the breaking of the bread that the disciples come to know Jesus, and it is only in the breaking of the bread that they become more than disciples.  Only in the Eucharist do we share in the Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, and become members of Christ’s Body.  This is the goal of our lives as Christians:  not merely to learn about Jesus, but to become one with Him.

On the day of the Resurrection, Jesus is preparing the apostles for the day of His Ascension.  After He leaves the earth, it will be up to them to act in His name:  first, to preach penance for the remission of sins, and then to suffer inevitably for standing up for what is true.  In all of this, the waves of impact from the news of the Resurrection continue to spread throughout the world, bringing peace to people on earth and glory to God in Heaven.  Throughout history and throughout our own lives it is our calling to continue to be faithful witness to the news of the Resurrection.  Only Christ’s Holy Spirit will sustain us in offering ourselves for such witness, and so for this calling we pray during this Easter season for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in abundance.