But he rising early the first day of the week, appeared first to Mary Magdalen, out of whom he had cast seven devils. She went and told them that had been with him, who were mourning and weeping. And they hearing that he was alive, and had been seen by her, did not believe. And after that he appeared in another shape to two of them walking, as they were going into the country. And they going told it to the rest: neither did they believe them. At length he appeared to the eleven as they were at table: and he upbraided them with their incredulity and hardness of heart, because they did not believe them who had seen him after he was risen again. And he said to them: Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mark 16:9-15 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father we read of two accounts of people witnessing Jesus resurrection and telling the disciples. And they had a hard time believing these people. Yet once Jesus stood in their presence he rebuked them, and it's no wonder why either. The people who witnessed seeing Jesus saw him and no one believed them. It happens even today, in our time also. Would we be believed if we saw Jesus standing in our midst and would it take him to stand there among those who didn't believe those who saw him. We would most certainly earn that rebuke then for our lack of faith in the risen Jesus. Do we witness his presence in our lives and spread the gospel message to all the world, to love God first and love our neighbor. Simple really. And to think Jesus challenges us to do something great for the kingdom of God.

After this, Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. And he shewed himself after this manner. There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas, who is called Didymus, and Nathanael, who was of Cana of Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter saith to them: I go a fishing. They say to him: We also come with thee. And they went forth, and entered into the ship: and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was come, Jesus stood on the shore: yet the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus therefore said to them: Children, have you any meat? They answered him: No.

He saith to them: Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and you shall find. They cast therefore; and now they were not able to draw it, for the multitude of fishes. That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved, said to Peter: It is the Lord. Simon Peter, when he heard that it was the Lord, girt his coat about him, (for he was naked,) and cast himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the ship, (for they were not far from the land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.

As soon then as they came to land, they saw hot coals lying, and a fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith to them: Bring hither of the fishes which you have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, one hundred and fifty-three. And although there were so many, the net was not broken. Jesus saith to them: Come, and dine. And none of them who were at meat, durst ask him: Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. And Jesus cometh and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish in like manner. This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to his disciples, after he was risen from the dead.
John 21:1-14 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father, Jesus not only appeared a third time but gave them a large catch of fish as an added benefit. What an investment that was! Wouldn't we say then that Jesus had caught their attention as well. Doesn't Jesus do that with us? Capture our attention with the many ways he gives of himself. Like the breaking of the bread, peace be with you and now the fish and bread. And look at what he says to the apostles, "Come, and dine." The invitation to be with him at the Eucharistic banquet. How often have we gone to that very banquet without thinking how truly present he is there with us. Just like when we dine at home, it's a routine, isn't it? But when we go to Mass and partake, that is no ordinary banquet to dine at. I wonder how many times he has to appear in this manner for us to realize the truth and the truth of His Word.

And they told what things were done in the way; and how they knew him in the breaking of the bread. Now whilst they were speaking these things, Jesus stood in the midst of them, and saith to them: Peace be to you; it is I, fear not.

But they being troubled and frightened, supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them: Why are you troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself; handle, and see: for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as you see me to have. And when he had said this, he shewed them his hands and feet. But while they yet believed not, and wondered for joy, he said: Have you any thing to eat?

And they offered him a piece of a broiled fish, and a honeycomb. And when he had eaten before them, taking the remains, he gave to them. And he said to them: These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures. And he said to them: Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead, the third day: And that penance and remission of sins should be preached in his name, unto all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

And you are witnesses of these things.
Luke 24:35-48 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father we are often so very busy in our lives that we fail to see your hand in it. Like the two men who journeyed on the road to Emmaus were so preoccupied they didn't even realize it was the risen Jesus with them. Today it seems that we are told to be witnesses of Jesus and that penance and remission of sins should be preached in his name.

These men were the first witnesses to the life, death and resurrection of your son Jesus. They have passed down to all generations the facts of this. We in our life encounter Jesus in various ways, but are often silent, afraid that people would think us fools. The disciples and the two from Emmaus were not thought of that way, Jesus showed up to prove their testimony. Whether we go through personal encounters of our Lord to something grand, we should be first of all witnesses of his grace and preach penance and reconciliation, because he came to save the lost.

And behold, two of them went, the same day, to a town which was sixty furlongs from Jerusalem, named Emmaus. And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
And it came to pass, that while they talked and reasoned with themselves, Jesus himself also drawing near, went with them. But their eyes were held, that they should not know him. And he said to them: What are these discourses that you hold one with another as you walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleophas, answering, said to him: Art thou only a stranger to Jerusalem, and hast not known the things that have been done there in these days?

To whom he said: What things? And they said: Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet, mighty in work and word before God and all the people; And how our chief priests and princes delivered him to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we hoped, that it was he that should have redeemed Israel: and now besides all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Yea and certain women also of our company affrighted us, who before it was light, were at the sepulchre, And not finding his body, came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who say that he is alive. And some of our people went to the sepulchre, and found it so as the women had said, but him they found not.

Then he said to them: O foolish, and slow of heart to believe in all things which the prophets have spoken. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and so to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the scriptures, the things that were concerning him. And they drew night to the town, whither they were going: and he made as though he would go farther. But they constrained him; saying: Stay with us, because it is towards evening, and the day is now far spent. And he went in with them.

And it came to pass, whilst he was at table with them, he took bread, and blessed, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him: and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to the other: Was not our heart burning within us, whilst he spoke in this way, and opened to us the scriptures? And rising up, the same hour, they went back to Jerusalem: and they found the eleven gathered together, and those that were staying with them, Saying: The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way; and how they knew him in the breaking of the bread.
Luke 24:13-35 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father this beautiful story of two men traveling to Emmaus reminds us of our own road we've traveled in our lives. Without doubt the people who have come into our lives at certain times to say specific things to us to reveal your word. Sitting back and reflecting upon this opened my eyes to the truth of this Gospel message. How it's possible in many different ways for us to also be these two who have met up with Jesus and not recognized him until he broke bread with them. Many of us have our eyes closed to how God works, but when we read of these encounters and miracles, we might discover them also in our life and in our journeys. Maybe not in the same dramatic way, but all it takes is for us to be open to His Word and listen with our hearts. We too will come to see Jesus in the breaking of the bread when we join with him at our Eucharistic meal. Do we look forward to these chance encounters but the best question of all is do we look forward to receiving his presence in the breaking of the bread.

But Mary stood at the sepulchre without, weeping. Now as she was weeping, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And she saw two angels in white, sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been laid.
They say to her: Woman, why weepest thou? She saith to them: Because they have taken away my Lord; and I know not where they have laid him. When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing; and she knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith to her: Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, thinking it was the gardener, saith to him: Sir, if thou hast taken him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith to her: Mary. She turning, saith to him: Rabboni (which is to say, Master). Jesus saith to her: Do not touch me, for I am not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brethren, and say to them: I ascend to my Father and to your Father, to my God and your God. Mary Magdalen cometh, and telleth the disciples: I have seen the Lord, and these things he said to me.
John 20:11-18 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father I think we all know how Mary Magdalen feels about loosing Jesus. He saved her from sin and followed him. Going from one life to one of holiness was a big change. Her mourning for your Son was great, and Jesus when he revealed his presence to her, brought her joy. Just as it would for all of us. But she was holding onto Jesus in a way that wasn't allowing her to live life and at that time wasn't letting Jesus ascend to you. What do we do for those in our life that holds them from attaining your heavenly glory. Is our love for those who pass on so great as to hold them back from you. But even more is their inability to let go of the earthly love in order to attain your heavenly love. We are all touched by you and Jesus in our lives in numerous ways, and yes some of us cling so tightly for fear of loosing you. But we also have a very beautiful gift for all time, is your loving presence in the Eucharist and we need not fear of ever loosing you again. But to go out and proclaim your Risen presence.