the word on resurrection (part 1)
"Were not our hearts burning inside us as He talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?" —Luke 24:32
Before Jesus began His public ministry, He overcame the temptations of Satan by using the Scriptures (Mt 4:4, 7, 10). Jesus began His public ministry by reading the Scriptures and preaching (Lk 4:16ff). Jesus continued His ministry of the word for three years. Even when Jesus died on the cross, He prayed Psalm 22 and Psalm 31 (Mt 27:46; Lk 23:46). In the afternoon of the day on which He rose from the dead, Jesus walked with two of His disciples for several miles. During this walk, He interpreted many Scriptural passages (Lk 24:27). That evening, Jesus "opened their minds to the understanding of the Scriptures" (Lk 24:45).
At Pentecost, Peter preached on Joel 3, Psalm 16, and Psalm 110 (Acts 2:17ff). After Pentecost, the members of the newborn Church "devoted themselves to the apostles' instruction," which were based on the Scriptures (Acts 2:42). The early Church measured the progress of God's work in terms of the spread of His word, especially the Scriptures (see Acts 6:7; 12:24; 19:20).
On the fourth day of the Easter octave and the Easter season, let God's word burn and purify your hearts (Lk 24:32). Then you will recognize the risen Christ (see Lk 24:31).
Prayer: Father, use this book, One Bread, One Body, to help me meet the risen Christ.
Promise: "I have neither silver nor gold, but what I have I give you! In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, walk!" —Acts 3:6
Praise: Praise Jesus, Who holds "the keys of death and the nether world"! (Rv 1:18) Alleluia!
Reference: (Get into the Word. For an introduction to the Bible, order Fr. Lauer's tape series on Overview of the Bible. The six audio tapes start with AV 10A-1. The three video tapes start with V-10A.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, December 9, 2000
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 12, 2000