Road to Emmaus

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Gospel

Lk 24:13-35

That very day, the first day of the week,
two of Jesus’ disciples were going
to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus,
and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred.
And it happened that while they were conversing and debating,
Jesus himself drew near and walked with them,
but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.
He asked them,
“What are you discussing as you walk along?”
They stopped, looking downcast.
One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply,
“Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem
who does not know of the things
that have taken place there in these days?”
And he replied to them, “What sort of things?”
They said to him,
“The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene,
who was a prophet mighty in deed and word
before God and all the people,
how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over
to a sentence of death and crucified him.
But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel;
and besides all this,
it is now the third day since this took place.
Some women from our group, however, have astounded us:
they were at the tomb early in the morning
and did not find his Body;
they came back and reported
that they had indeed seen a vision of angels
who announced that he was alive.
Then some of those with us went to the tomb
and found things just as the women had described,
but him they did not see.”
And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are!
How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!
Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things
and enter into his glory?”
Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets,
he interpreted to them what referred to him
in all the Scriptures.
As they approached the village to which they were going,
he gave the impression that he was going on farther.
But they urged him, “Stay with us,
for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.”
So he went in to stay with them.
And it happened that, while he was with them at table,
he took bread, said the blessing,
broke it, and gave it to them.
With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him,
but he vanished from their sight.
Then they said to each other,
“Were not our hearts burning within us
while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?”
So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem
where they found gathered together
the Eleven and those with them who were saying,
“The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!”
Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way
and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The two disciples were filled with despair and sadness, as they had just lost their leader(Whom they thought was the long awaited Messiah) and no longer called Him God or Messiah but prophet. But Jesus met them on their journey, and explained scriptures to them. Then He broke the bread and gave it them., and they recognize the risen Lord! Afterwards, they said, did our hearts not burn within us ?

In the same way, we meet the Crucified and Risen Lord in our daily lives when we read scriptures and when we receive the Eucharist at mass. We all have worries or pains or disappointments, but the word of God and Eucharist can fill our hearts with faith and hope and joy. Let us keep faith alive by reading scripture everyday, and also, let us receive the Body of our risen Lord. He is risen, indeed He is risen. We get to celebrate the risen Lord at our daily mass or Sundays, in the liturgy of the Word, and in the Eucharist.

It was when the two invited Jesus to their place… He REVEALED Himself to them. In the same way, No matter what we are going through, or how dark the day is, Jesus will meet us on our road to Emmaus.

Spy Wednesday: Wednesday of Holy Week

The last two days have been earth shattering:


Monday.

Jesus wept over Jerusalem’s lack of faith, cursed the fig tree, and cleansed the temple.

Tuesday.

Jesus taught them parables and was interrogated by hostile opponents.

Today, Spy Wednesday: Wednesday of the Holy Week.

Spy, A suitable name for Judas’s role as the betrayer; the one who sold his Savior’s life for thirty pieces of silver.

Jesus stays in Bethany and spent a quiet day with friends (Mary, Martha and His disciples) ,
However the days starts with an apocalyptic warning. Matt 26:1-2

When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, “As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.

Next we focus on the Kidron valley, and this is what we hear:

Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.” Matthew 26:3-5

Interestingly, they said, not during the festivals, but it still happened then, because, nothing is out of order for God. God alone has the authority, and no one took Jesus’ life, for He gave it freely for us. So it happened during Passover for Jesus is the paschal lamb for Passover.

Later, in afternoon, Jesus is anointed. Matthew 26:7-13

A woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.

When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you,[a] but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Jesus is touched by the woman’s devotion and her discernment to prepare His body for His burial. This also shows that the worship of God comes first, which then helps to make us more charitable and just.

The darkness of this day grows deeper and heavier as we move closer to Calvary.

Judas, one of the twelve, became disgruntled, and the plans to betray His Master, was put into motion. He betrayed Jesus for a large sum of money, but he lost his soul and salvation.  
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Mk 8:36

Jesus’ response to Judas’ betrayal:


The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” Matthew 26:24

How does it end for Judas:

He commited suicide, and died in sin, without God’s mercy.

Wednesday of Holy Week starts out quietly, spent with friends, but yet one of Jesus’ disciples allows Satan to enter him, and betrayed His Master!

Let us spend this day in prayers and fasting, and ask forgiveness for our sins. We all fall short of God’s glory, but we don’t lose hope like Judas; we pick up ourselves, and trust in God’s mercy and ask for His forgiveness. today or anyday is the perfect day for confessions.

Spy Wednesday,

Let us remember we serve a merciful and loving God, and there is nothing God will not forgive us for! Also, use this day to pray for those who have hurt us, and to forgive them too!

Tuesday of Holy Week

Mk 11:20-21
It is Tuesday of Holy Week, and our Lord got up early as the people of those days did. As their days started early at dawn and ended early at dusk. Him and His disciples leave Bethany, and headed back to Jerusalem, and when they came down the steep hill, they see the fig tree Jesus had cursed the day before. As mentioned yesterday, the fig tree represents the Jews and their lack of producing fruits, which are faith, justice and charity.

As Jesus and His disciples continue their journey to the temple, the Temple Leaders questioned Jesus’ authority. Mk 11:27-33.

Jesus got His authority:

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. 14And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1,14).

These temple leaders tried to trap Jesus by asking Him a question. Jesus turned their question on them. They had a problem with Jesus saying He was God, and the Father and Him is one, and He is the only way to God the Father.

He was God in the flesh, and so when Jesus spoke, He spoke with God’s authority. Today, Jesus continues to speak with Authority as God, but are we listening to Him ? Do we question Jesus’ authority, or do we obey Him?

Since the leaders did not answer Jesus’ question, He did not answer theirs. Jesus continued with his teaching by telling them parables after parables ; to teach them about their wicked ways, and if they did not change, like the fig tree, they will perish. Unfortunately, the Jews did perish, and 40 years later, one million of them perish in an unnecessary war. The temple leaders were all about rituals and sacrifices(outward acts), and did not have faith or justice or charity in their hearts. They did not recognize Jesus for who He is, their long awaited Messiah.

As we walk with Jesus today on His final journey, can our lives be a lesson to teach others about Jesus? Do our family and friends see Jesus by the way we live, and by how we treat one another? Let us spend today in prayers, and fasting, and be more like Jesus.

Happy Tuesday of Holy Week!

Monday of Holy Week

Holy Monday, is the day after Palm Sunday,when Jesus, weeps over Jerusalem,cursed the fig tree, and cleansed the temple.

Yesterday, on Palm Sunday, Jesus entered  Jerusalem in triumph!

Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem.

Lk 19:41-44

 Jesus cried aloud in anguish over the future of jerusalem as He saw what would happen to them 40 years later; in AD 70 more than one million Jews died in one of the most gruesome and pointless war. Jesus, came for the Jews but they did not believe that He was the long awaited Messiah. Jesus knew that His chosen people, the Jews, would pay dearly for rejecting Him.

We should not judge people (James 4:12) over their sins, we should weep over their sin (Psalm 119:136). Like Jesus, let us feel sorrow and pray for them, let us ask God to forgive them. A very tough act to follow, so on this Holy Monday, let us be more like Jesus, and pray for those who have hurt or persecuted us

Jesus’ cursing of the fig tree on Holy Monday: (Mark 11:12–14)

The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again”. And his disciples heard him say it.

The fig tree represents the Jewish people, as Jesus found no fruits of faith in His chosen people. Symbolically, the fig tree represented the spiritual death of Israel; a very religious and pious nation outwardly, but because of their sins did not produce any fruits of faith.

Thus, His anger was righteous. Scripture says it in Is 5:6-7.

Are you living a fruitful life for our Lord, Jesus Christ? What are some of the fruits that you bear for the Lord?

Angry Jesus Cleanses The Temple because Mk 11:15-19.

  1. He was going to die for all people, Jews or Gentiles.It is not that the selling of animals in the temple that made Jesus so angry but, because, the Jews were selling the animals in the part of the temple grounds set aside for the Gentiles to pray. The Jews action showed that the Gentiles prayers did not matter. And Jesus was going to die in a few days later to reunite all of God’s scattered children. Jn 12:32
  2. Cleansing and Sanctification of the Temple
    Theologically, Jesus is saying temple worship is over. Jesus is the new temple, He is the Lamb and He is the high Priest. His blood will cleanse us as He cleansed the temple to keep it holy and sacred, as it was being used as a den of thieves.
    1 Peter 2:5 “You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 
    Since Jesus is the new temple, and our bodies are the temple of God, How can we keep our temples worthy for God to dwell within?

Let’s remember this Holy Week, on Monday, to pray for our enemies, bear fruits for the Kingdom of God, to keep our temples worthy for the Messiah to live within.-

Happy Holy Monday.

Palm Sunday

Palm sunday clipart 10

Good Morning ladies in Christ:

Greetings in the name of Lord, Jesus Christ. Yesterday, Angela Evangelista introduced me, and I just want to introduce myself :
My name is Rossane Mohammed, a devoted Catholic who loves the Lord dearly and has a deep yearning to know more about the rich culture of our faith, and to grow closer to our Lord. So, grab your bible, put aside your worries, and let us put ourselves in the presence of the Lord for:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” John 1:1

So grab your Bible and let us begin this most Holy Week together.

As we begin Holy Week, let us go up with Jesus to Jerusalem and walk with Him in His Passion through our participation every day of the Holy Week, not just those of the Easter Triduum. it is my honor to walk with you all , every day of the Holy Week, with scriptures, as we follow, our Lord, Jesus Christ, during the most Holy Week of our Lord and King. to commemorate and remember the last week of Jesus’ life on this earth, the days leading up to the great Easter Feast.

The Lenten season of sacrifice and self-denial is about to come to an end, but The greatest focus of the week is the Passion (suffering) , death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ which is the very core of our Catholic Faith, and the events that led up to it.

Today is Palm Sunday, and our Gospel reading is from LK 19:28-40.

Jesus’ entry in Jerusalem.

The triumphal entry is rich with Jewish heritage and messianic expectation.

  1. Why does Jesus choose to enter Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives? 

    a. It was from the Mount of Olives that the Glory of the Lord left Israel. See Ezek. 11:23. It was here that the Glory of God is going to return.

    b.Also Mount of Olives is the largest Jewish cemetery and is over 3000 years old, and is very treasured by the Jewish people.

    c. Zech 14:3-4 that the feet of Jesus will once again trod that same place when He returns.
  2. Luke’s focus on the colt being untied—five times! Why all the focus on untying?!

a. Gen 49.10–11, this is the sign of the Coming One who is the true ruler of Judah, to whom the nations of the world will submit, and he is the one who ties and unties the donkey. Jesus is fulfilling scripture that was written by Moses 1300B.C.

b. The colt hasn’t been ridden on before, as that is required for the king’s mount.

c. Jesus rode to Jerusalem on a donkey, intentionally fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9. A king riding a donkey is a sign the king comes in peace

These events do not mark the crowning of the king, but the recognition of the king who has already won his victory.

He comes in the manner of a king;

a. Ps 118  was sung by pilgrims as they approached Jerusalem during their feasts days.

It was associated with the coming of the king to Jerusalem, and the symbolic action of throwing cloaks on the road is associated with welcoming the conquering king, as Jehu is welcomed in 2 Kings 9.13. This is what the Jews did in Lk 19:36. They were all hoping that he was the long awaited Messiah and King who would rescued them from the cruel Romans, and established His kingdom on earth.

b. And the crowd of his disciples hail Him as the king.LK 19:38.

saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 

But what kind of king is Jesus? And what does his kingdom look like?

His journey to Jerusalem is not a journey to power and glory, but is a journey in obedience to death. He does not come riding on a golden chariots and brings a large army, but comes as a King of peace, praise and glory. Jesus does not come to conquer the Romans or the city; he comes to be conquered, and His profound victory is that God’s children are no longer separated from their Father as His death expiates us from our sins, removes the wrath of God, (that we so justly deserves) and reconciles us to our Heavenly Father. His glory is the cross!

Jesus is a different kind of King

And this presents each of us with a challenge.

Will we stand with the disciples on this Palm Sunday and joyfully wave our palms, and welcome this King of peace, praise and power and show the world that He is the King of Heaven and earth?

or
When we wave our Palms today,saying,
Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord, peace in heaven and glory in the highest! We will keep Him hidden or forgotten, and continue like the Jews to live in fear or terror of the Romans, or of our Oppressors, or of our daily troubles or woes?

2022 Palm Sunday, our world is in moral decay, and many world leaders are corrupt and ungodly. Countries are fighting with each other as Ukraine is invaded, and innocent people are being killed. People worldwide are afraid of a WW3, and people are losing hope. We, Catholics serve a mighty God of peace, power and praise. Let us share Him with the rest of the world, and let everyone know this Palm Sunday and everyday,

Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord, peace in heaven and glory in the highest!

Happy Palm Sunday!

Lent:Time To Renew our Journey of Faith.

AUTHOR:ROSSANA S MOHAMMED.

PHOTOCOURTESY:quotesgram.com

Lent is a 40-day season in the church year where Christians  worldwide, repent of our sin-fullness, and we reflect, re-evaluate and renew our lives in Christ. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday  and ends on Easter Sunday. During these 40 days, as we journey with Christ, let us listen more to His words, go to daily mass, and try to do a good act daily.

Let us  journey with Christ through the desert, to the foot of the cross on Good Friday, and to His resurrection on Easter Sunday! Take this opportunity to grow in faith and in joy.

We Are Royals: It Runs in our Blood.

AUTHOR:ROSSANA S MOHAMMED.

 

Unlike Lourdes in her song, “Royal”, And we’ll never be royals (royals).
It don’t run in our blood. The lyrics from this song are wrong as we are all God’s Masterpiece, and made in His image and likeness. We are Royals and and it runs in our blood. Families411.com celebrates this week as the Week of Hope, and today, Monday, our Topic is:

What Gives us Hope?

What gives us hope to greet each day, and to get through our daily lives during the good times, and especially the bad times or uncertain times?  When we have hope we wait, and we look ahead. Hope gets us through  our trials and our darkest days, and although we do not know what tomorrow brings us, we are prepared to face it by placing our hope in Jesus Christ.

Having a purpose in life gives us hope.

  1.  We are born for a purpose, so what is yours? Maybe to be another civil rights leader like Martin Luther King, Jr., or a scientist who will find a cure for cancer, or a psychiatrist to take care of mentally-ill street kids in India, or simply to make your family the best, or your community the safest. Be the best you.
  2.  So, let us use the talents that we are given, and make the world a better place. When we fulfill our purpose in life, we wake up with a song in our hearts and a pep in our steps. Each day we greet with joy and anticipation for we are happy to be alive.

Continue reading “We Are Royals: It Runs in our Blood.”