Today's Thoughts...

Today’s Thoughts: I have a few thoughts from our readings today. First of all, we might say that the Easter Season is a time of remembering, that it is a time of re-encountering, re-engaging, and re-understanding the resurrection of Jesus. Every year we are given and hopefully take this time to unravel this mystery of Christ’s resurrection once again. It is a time to be on the Emmaus road with our heart burning again What a special gift!
 
In our first reading today, we find Luke concerned the future of the Church. A central characteristic of Luke’s gospel is to make sure that his Gentile believers, and all future believers as well, make profound connections with the tradition, especially with Moses, the prophets, and the psalms.
 
So, Philip’s encounter with the eunuch (a Gentile) demonstrates that concern. The eunuch refers to a passage that Jesus probably quoted on the Emmaus road when he was lighting the fire in the hearts of the two disciples as to “why the Christ had to suffer and die and so enter into his glory.”
 
This is still our question in our time, isn’t it? Why? Why did this happen? Perhaps, the question is not only why did it happen, but why not tell us what you told the eunuch… the disciples on the way to Emmaus? Our journey through Holy Week lead us in and out of the mystery of Jesus’ death and resurrection answering the question ritually, liturgically, scripturally, but… is the question why ever fully answered?
 
We might marvel at the belief of the eunuch, but let us also seek to know Jesus more deeply and find the answer in our lives… why do we have to suffer?
 
We also might wonder, question Jesus’ words in the Gospel today, “this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die.” Our response might be the same as the woman at the well, “Give us some of this bread Lord that we may never be hungry again!” This bread is a share in this same Christ who died and rose for us. How do Jesus’ words today speak to our gut? What is the Risen Christ sharing with us this season and always?
 
Have a great Thursday everyone!