ACTS 2:14, 22-33; PSALM 15; 1PETER 1:17-21; LUKE 24:13-35
Hopelessness is a feeling of dispair. Today’s gospel recounts the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They were going home disappointed, because their hope was crumbled by the sorrows of Good Friday, yet it was days later nothing had changed. There are many people who are on their way to Emmaus, discouraged, disappointed, and hopeless. Like the two disciples we tend to abandon our faith when our expectations are not met. Some have left the church on similar note. Many have given up on hard work and honesty simply because life goes harder. Amidst these anxieties, today’s gospel reminds us that it was necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory (Lk24:26). Beloved, do not be discouraged there are some necessary sufferings in life. Do not be hopeless but believing. In Jonah 4:9 Jonah felt so hopeless that he said “I wish I were dead”. Beloved, do not wish for death, no matter the situation. Keep believing, no condition is permanent.
Today’s gospel also reminds about the sins against hope: The sins against hope are Despair and presumption (CCC 2091-2092). By despair, a man ceases to hope for his personal salvation from God, for help in attaining it or for the forgiveness of his sins. Despair is contrary to God’s goodness, to his justice – for the Lord is faithful to his promises – and to his mercy. On the other hand there are two kinds of presumption. Either man presumes upon his own capacities, (hoping to be able to save himself without help from on high), or he presumes upon God’s almighty power or his mercy (hoping to obtain his forgiveness without conversion and glory without merit). The two disciples completely forgot all the teachings and words of scriptures. They fell for despair and presumption. They felt going home was the best option, they felt they could do it their own way. Today we still presume alot of things; we take the mercy of God for granted.
Again, the gospel gives us two ways we overcome hopelessness: they are; the Sacred Scriptures and the Holy Eucharist. Anytime we are challenged let us try and study the scripture. The gospel says as He explained the scripture to them; their hearts burn within them. Whenever we study the scriptures our hearts burn within us. Such experience brings about revival. The scriptures revives us moment of trials and worries. The first and second readings invite us in a special way to have sincere recourse to the Scripture if we want to understand what happened to Jesus and what happens to us every day. In the scripture we are inspired by the examples of the patriarchs and the apostles, we begin to understand the dynamics of Christian life, we are able to confront our fears and discern the purpose which is in the heart of the Father.
The Holy Eucharist: The disciples said to Him, stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over and so Jesus went in to stay with them. Then at the breaking of bread the gospel says “their eyes were open”. Jesus never ceases to visit anyone who makes himself available. Invite Jesus not just into your house but into your heart. When he comes into our hearts our eyes will be open to many Divine privileges and benefits. The Church in her providence has given us that beautiful prayer – Act of Spiritual Communion. Through this prayer we receive Jesus spiritually; don’t fail to say it daily whether you receive communion or not.
Summarily, the Scriptures and the Holy Eucharist revived their drooping spirit. As soon as they recognized him, they were completely changed. The gospel says; ‘that same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem.’ Divine encounter should draw us closer to God. We must leave those things that impede our Christian journey and return to God.
LET US PRAY
May your people exult for ever, O God, in renewed youthfulness of spirit, so that, rejoicing now in the restored glory of our adoption, we may look forward in confident hope to the rejoicing of the day of resurrection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
