Daily Reflection Wednesday within the Octave of Easter

Both readings today reflect the love and life of Jesus after his resurrection. Peter, who had denied Jesus three times, has repented. Not only does Jesus revive his relationship with Peter, he gifts him with words and the power to heal. Drawing from his own earthly poverty, Peter is able to cure a man. Jesus’ resurrection has empowered Peter to do all the great works that Jesus has promised him!
 
    Luke relates how Cleopas and probably his wife are returning from celebrating the Passover with family. However, they are intrigued by all that happened with Jesus’ death and the rumors of his resurrection. They don’t let the “gossip” discourage them. No, they talk about it, even to this stranger. They are eager to know more about this Messiah.
 
    By their example, both Jesus and Peter show us how important it is for us to treat with respect every person we meet. Peter has no money, but he has been given the power to cure this man. Jesus doesn’t strut between the Cleopas couple and brag about his recent resurrection from the dead. No, Jesus allows them to doubt, to question, to search for the truth. Only after an extensive and focused conversation, along with the breaking of the bread, does the couple recognize Jesus in their midst.
 
    We could write a tome of information about the change in the crippled man, as well as, the couple searching for the truth. For us, Jesus’ resurrection is not just a head experience. His resurrection invites us, challenges us to change, to become more like Jesus. 
 
    Let us inventory those people we don’t recognize on our journey through life with Jesus. Maybe we don’t recognize family members who are hurting, because they are different. Possibly they have chosen lifestyles or occupations not in keeping with family expectations. We may not acknowledge people at work or at the parish because they seem socially odd or ”not with it”, or homeless people on the streets. If we really do see them, our consciences would offer to help, as Peter did the man on the temple steps. Jesus told us once that we will always have the poor with us. So, too, we will always have the elderly with diminished physical and mental capacities.
 
    Only after an extensive conversation with Jesus did the Cleopas couple recognize Jesus. There is so much to unpack in these two Scripture readings today. We are invited to take inventory of our own relationship with God and the quality of time spent in quiet prayer. This prayer helps us to recognize and care for those in need: physically, materially, emotionally. Has the grace of our Lent enabled us to accept the challenge of a deeper acceptance of God in the deepest sinews of our lives?
 
Jesus Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you;
and now he is living at your side every day
to enlighten, strengthen, and free you.
--Pope Francis (The Joy of the Gospel)