Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” Acts 3

Jesus has risen, thereby the door of eternal life has been thrust open, bursting, to unveil the eternal life in God, for all believers. As the disciples of Jesus enter the village, to preach and heal, perhaps the infirmities among the people, may have been numerous. The people believed they should place a lame man at the Beautiful Gate to receive healing, but there it did not happen. Peter and John approach the lame man and offer healing, ‘in the name of Jesus’. The man suddenly, rises, feels strong and begins to jump for joy and is healed. Wonderous healings are all around us, if we but see God’s love in all things. If we seek the beautiful gate of God’s kingdom, we will have new life eternal.

Then there are two disciples walking on the road to Emmaus and are approached by the resurrected Jesus. Initially, Jesus, asks questions about their discussion and the events that have taken place. Jesus the instrument of God’s divine orchestra, responded in humility, to further probe the disciples. The resurrected Lord who is all powerful and all knowing, chose to question gently and lovingly. Perhaps to reveal their heart. After the disciples detailed account, Jesus revealed to the disciples God’s truth in his word and the disciple’s true nature. Then Jesus, all embracing, broke bread with them. Then Jesus vanished.

As I place myself on the road to Emmaus, side by side, walking step by step with Jesus, I wonder if I would have recognized Jesus? As my heart beat together with the almighty creator, would my soul gasp or my heart burn, in the presence of divinity itself? I do not know for certain, but what I know with conviction is Jesus’ outpouring love has risen in me, time and time again. His love is magnanamous and endless. Paths and choices are always before us, that can lead us astray or save us. God invites us to be in union with Him. For us to be able to hear and sense God, there is a lifelong surrendering of our mind, heart and soul, one must go through. As we pray, read scripture, ponder, reflect and do faith filled acts, to strengthen our relationship with Jesus, we become attuned to God’s voice and action in our life.

There will be struggles mixed with joy on the path. St. Faustina, in her diary (153), saw two roads. ‘One road was broad and wide, full of flowers and souls filled with joy, dancing and all sorts of pleasures. At the end of this road, souls fell blindly, into the abyss of hell. The other road, was narrow, strewn with thorns and weeds, filled with people with tears and all kinds of suffering, where people fell down and got back up. At the end of this road was a magnificent garden filled with all sorts of happiness, for all the souls, and they forgot all their suffering.’ This passage has remained with me for many years and compels me to love greater, to live and act, in hope for God’s eternal life. The first road, can perhaps, among other things, reveal a blind sense of the gluttonous and selfish pleasure, that can lure us from God’s love and charity. On the other road, perhaps one can feel a discomfort and fear and possibly want to avoid pain and suffering. But there is unseen strength that is growing. The more we embrace suffering and joy, wrapped in the arms of Jesus, the stronger our soul becomes. The more we embrace and face our life, with God’s courage and love in us, the soul is healed and strengthened.

Greeks say, ‘Christos Anesti’ which is ‘Jesus has risen’. Then respond, ‘Alithos Anesti’ which is ‘He has truly risen’. If Jesus rises in us, He rises in our words, He rises in our thoughts, He rises in our actions and He rises in our entire being. Our words become loving and edifying. Our thoughts become pure and sacred. Our actions become self-giving and charitable. Our entire being becomes divine and holy, as our Father in heaven is holy.

Let us pray we encounter Jesus where we are. St. Faustina pray for us.

Peace,

Claudia