Daily Gospel Reflection for April 3, 2024: Wednesday in the Octave of Easter

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Luke 24:13-35

In today’s Gospel reading of the two disciples walking away from Jerusalem on Easter afternoon, we get to be witnesses to this institution of our Catholic Mass.

The two main parts of our Catholic celebration of the Mass are the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. We read an Old Testament story, pray a psalm, then hear New Testament and Gospel stories with an explanation of them by the priest or deacon. Then we have the gifts of bread and wine offered to the altar where the priest blesses and consecrates them by the power of God for our nourishment in memory of the original time Jesus did this for the Apostles at their Last Supper together.

This is exactly what Jesus did for the disciples walking to Emmaus.

"Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures." Luke 24:27

Then just like at the Last Supper,

“He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them." Luke 24:30

These actions are what we do when we celebrate the Mass, and what the Apostles and disciples did regularly in the early days of the Church after Jesus’ ascension. “They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers.” (Acts of the Apostles 2:42)

What a comfort to know that we are following the same format of worship that our Savior commanded when He told the Apostles to: “Do this in memory of me.” (Luke 22:19)

Ponder:

Did you realize our sacramental Catholic Mass is basically the same celebration as Jesus desired over 2,000 years ago?

Pray:

My dear Jesus, thank You for our Holy Liturgy and for showing us how You desire us to worship You. May we never take for granted the blessing of being able to receive You every day in thanksgiving for Your sacrifice.

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What a comfort to know that we are following the same format of worship that our Savior commanded when He told the Apostles to: “Do this in memory of me.” #DailyGospel

Copyright 2024 Colleen Mallette