TODAYS REFLECTION 3RD WEEK OF EASTER FRI APRIL 15

TODAYS REFLECTION 3RD WEEK OF EASTER FRI APRIL 15 ( Acts 9 :1-20, Jon 6:52-59 ).

#NOONEENCOUNTERSTHELORDANDREMAINSTHESAME#

In the first reading today, we are perhaps awestruck by the spectacular way the Lord encountered Paul, yet that unique way may not be the most spectacular aspect of the encounter. To me its most striking feature is that it happened while Paul was still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. After the encounter Jesus chooses Paul to proclaim his message to the Gentile world. Being encountered by the Lord meant for him being missioned by the Lord.

Beloved, every daily encounter, which takes place differently from day to day and from person to person, is a daily being missioned as Paul was, and as the Samaritan woman was. It is precisely in the very ordinariness of our lives, while we are “minding our own business,” that we are called and missioned to proclaim the Lord, not necessarily with words, although they are by no means excluded, but certainly with the witness of our living.

In the gospel, the Jews were scandalized and the disciples were divided when Jesus said "unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life in you." What a hard saying, unless you understand who Jesus is and why he calls himself the bread of life. Jesus made himself an offering and sacrifice, a gift that was truly pleasing to the Father. He "offered himself without blemish to God" (Heb 9:14) and "gave himself as a sacrifice to God" (Eph 5:2). When the Lord Jesus commands his us to eat his flesh and drink his blood, he invites us to take his life into the very center of our being. That life which he offers is the very life of God himself. Lord May we always hunger for you and be satisfied in you alone. Wishing you a lovely weekend.