"Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer
these things and enter into His glory?”
Luke 24:26
We all face times when we are disappointed with God, especially when our expectations do not match His sovereign purpose. However, God can turn our disappointment into hope if we seek the risen Savior through faith in His Word. Jesus is always with us. Our faith should always be growing, and that we should always be open to encountering Christ in unexpected ways. We should never be afraid to share our faith with others, and to be a source of encouragement and support on their own journeys of faith.
13 That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, 14 and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. 15 And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, 16 but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. 18 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?” 19 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, 20 how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. 21 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. 22 Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning 23 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. 24 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.” 25 And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. 29 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. 30 And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. 31 With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. 32 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?” 33 So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them 34 who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” 35 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. (Luke 24:13-35)
In times of disappointment, when our hearts are heavy-laden, when our expectations of God seem to be forsaken. Yet in these moments, a truth we can uphold, God turns our disappointment into hope, a sight to behold. Seek the risen Savior, through faith in His Word, His promises are true, the most beautiful ever heard. Jesus, our companion, always by our side, in His presence, we find a love that can't be denied. Our faith, like a seed, should always be growing, in the garden of our hearts, His love ever flowing. Open to encountering Christ in ways unexpected, in the tapestry of life, His grace is reflected. Never be afraid to share your faith, let it shine, like a beacon in the night, a divine design. Be a source of encouragement, a support so strong, on their own journeys of faith, help others belong.
Dear Lord Jesus, we acknowledge that there are times when we feel disappointed with You, especially when our expectations do not align with Your sovereign purpose. However, we believe that You can turn our disappointment into hope if we seek You, our risen Savior, through faith in Your Word. We are grateful that You are always with us, guiding us, comforting us, and strengthening us. We pray that our faith will continue to grow each day, and that we will always be open to encountering You in unexpected ways. Give us the courage to share our faith with others, to be a beacon of Your love in this world. Help us to be a source of encouragement and support for others on their own journeys of faith. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
Healing can come to us not as a result of any medical intervention or logical explanation, but a product of faith. We can receive healing not just by faith alone, but by our readiness to take a leap, step out in faith and let our faith inspire action. No matter how long or arduous our situation may seem, we should never underestimate the power of God to turn things around. His timing is impeccable. He knows when we’re ready to receive His blessings, and when the world is ready to witness His glory through us. God answers prayers with the unexpected. God always knows what we need, even if we don’t.
1 Peter and John were going up to the temple area for the three o’clock hour of prayer. 2 And a man crippled from birth was carried and placed at the gate of the temple called “the Beautiful Gate” every day to beg for alms from the people who entered the temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. 4 But Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 He paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Peter said, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk.” 7 Then Peter took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles grew strong. 8 He leaped up, stood, and walked around, and went into the temple with them, walking and jumping and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the one who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with amazement and astonishment at what had happened to him. (Acts 3:1-10)
In the realm where logic's reign is overthrown, where faith's bright flame can make the unseen, known. Healing may come in forms we don't anticipate, not by man's medicine, but by faith's weight. Not faith alone, a readiness to leap, to step out boldly into waters deep to let our actions echo our belief in faith's great power, we find our relief. No matter how long the night, the day will dawn, no matter how weary, we are drawn. God's timing perfect, His plan never late, He knows when we're ready to accept our fate. The world may watch, as His glory unfolds in us, His story, timelessly told. His blessings come, in ways we can't foresee, in His grand design, we are the key. God answers prayers, in ways unexpected, our needs known to Him, never neglected. Even if we don't, He understands, our lives are held, in His loving hands.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today, acknowledging that healing can come to us not as a result of any medical intervention or logical explanation, but as a product of faith. We understand that we can receive healing not just by faith alone, but by our readiness to take a leap, to step out in faith and let our faith inspire action. No matter how long or arduous our situation may seem, we will never underestimate Your power to turn things around. Your timing is impeccable. You know when we’re ready to receive Your blessings, and when the world is ready to witness Your glory through us. We trust that You answer prayers with the unexpected. You always know what we need, even if we don’t. We surrender our needs and desires to You, confident in Your wisdom and love. In Your name, we pray. Amen.
God’s sovereign hand is in control over all things. He protects us when we are vulnerable and weak, delivering us through miraculous events, preserving us as we walk in the wilderness of life, and bringing us into His everlasting kingdom. God’s actions and teachings out of His unwavering faithfulness and love continually guides and strengthen our lives. Even in difficult times, God is always with us, leading us towards a brighter future. Let us always express our deep and profound gratitude for God’s blessings and sharing His works with others.
1 Give thanks to the Lord, invoke his name; make known among the nations his deeds. 2 Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds. 3 Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord! 4 Look to the Lord in his strength; seek to serve him constantly. 6 You descendants of Abraham, his servants, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! 7 He, the Lord, is our God; throughout the earth his judgments prevail. 8 He remembers forever his covenant which he made binding for a thousand generations, 9 which he entered into with Abraham and by his oath to Isaac. (Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9)
In the grand tapestry of life, His hand weaves, God's sovereign control, in this, we believe. He guards us when vulnerable, weak, and small, through miraculous events, He answers our call. Preserving us as we traverse life's wild maze, into His everlasting kingdom, our gaze. His actions, teachings, a guiding light, strengthening us with His might. His faithfulness unwavering, His love so deep, even in hardship, His promises He keeps. In difficult times, He's our steadfast guide, leading us towards a future, bright and wide. Let gratitude for His blessings fill our days and let us share His works in countless ways. Deep and profound, our thanks we express, for in His love, we are truly blessed.
Dear Heavenly Father, we acknowledge Your sovereign hand in control over all things. You protect us when we are vulnerable and weak, delivering us through miraculous events. You preserve us as we walk in the wilderness of life, and You are leading us into Your everlasting kingdom. Your actions and teachings, born out of Your unwavering faithfulness and love, continually guide and strengthen our lives. Even in difficult times, we know that You are always with us, leading us towards a brighter future. We express our deep and profound gratitude for Your blessings. We commit to sharing Your works with others, spreading Your love and grace in our world. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
Pericope:
Gospel
VIII: The Resurrection Narrative
THE APPEARANCE ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS
Luke 24:13-35
First Reading
II: The Mission in Jerusalem
CURE OF A CRIPPLED BEGGAR
Acts 3:1-10
Responsorial Psalm
Fourth Book of Psalms 90-106
GOD'S FIDELITY TO THE PROMISE
Psalm 105:1-43
