A WORD FOR TODAY 23 APRIL 2023

*A WORD FOR TODAY*

*LONGING FOR JESUS IS THE BEST DESIRE TO HAVE*

_"So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent. So he went in to stay with them."(Luke 24:28-29)_

*CRAVE FOR THE LORD*

_*To have a longing for something is to yearn or crave for that thing in such a way that you will feel that without it you will not survive.*_

*A MASTERPIECE*

_The story of the gospel reading of today is a masterpiece that teaches us a lot about what happens when we find Christ and let Him touch our heart._

*FIND JESUS AND BE FIXED UP*

_*It is about the Emmaus experience. The two disciples were sad and disappointed and probably took the journey away from the other disciples just to clear their head. Their hearts were heavy and they moved in the wrong direction until they found Christ who fixed them up and make them go back to their mission amd mandate.*_

*SITUATIONS OF LIFE CAN BREAK YOU*

_Frustrating and challenging situations of life can break us apart and make us feel hopeless. In those times we must strive to yearn for Christ who is the living water that can quench the thirst in our soul._

*BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU YEARN FOR*

_*What you yearn or crave for could either make you rise or bring you down, it could either save you or destroy you, give you life or bring you death, make you happy or sad. Therefore, you must be very careful what you crave for so you do not end up wounding yourself by your craving.*_

*JESUS IS COMPASSIONATE*

_The compassion of Jesus is vividly shown in this reading. He saw that these disciples have lost their way and He walked with them, was patient to let them vent in their ignorance and frustration, he taught them and gave them instructions with the Scriptures and their hearts were set on fire._

*THEY LONGED FOR JESUS THE MORE*

_*After they have listened to Jesus, they longed for Him the more when He did as if He was going further. They begged Him to stay with them for the night. He willingly obliged them and at the breaking of the bread, their eyes were opened and they recognised Him.*_

*SEEK AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE LORD*

_Great things happen when we yearn for God. "Psalm 42 Like the deer that yearns for flowing streams, so my soul is yearning for you my God." we must have a deep longing for God which will be satisfied when we encounter Him in His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ._

*THE BEAUTY OF THE HOLY MASS*

_This encounter happens greatly at the Eucharistic celebration. In the mass we have two parts, the liturgy of the word and that of the Holy Eucharist. If we are properly disposed and participate actively, we shall recognise Jesus when the word is broken and we shall eat His body and blood as the spiritual food that will nourish our heart and fire us up to go out and proclaim the gospel in His name._

*GUIDE OTHERS TO THE RIGHT PATH*

_*The disciples did not pretend. They expressed how they feel and Jesus helped them to get back on their feet. We must be like Jesus, guide and instruct the ignorant to the truth, be patient with them and help them to find their way back to God, to the gathering of the believers and to their mission of preaching the gospel which Peter courageously did as recorded in the first reading of today.*_

*YEARN FOR JESUS MORE THAN WEALTH*

_Jesus is the way, the truth and the life(John 14:6)Whoever follows Him will not be lost. Yearn for Jesus and for the spiritual nourishment of the word of God and the Holy Eucharist over the material things of this life and you will be happy forever and be satisfied (Matthew 5:6)_

_*Good morning dearest one. Smile as you begin your day and do have a splendid Sunday. May Jesus help you to find your way back to Him. Amen. And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Acts 2:14,22-33/Psalm 26:1-2,5,7-11/1 Peter 1:17-21/Luke 24:13-35

*Watch-Word:* Lord, you will show me the path of life.

*Be willing and ready to learn and grow in your faith and Jesus will help you to find joy in proclaiming His name.*

(Third Sunday of Easter. Year A)

*© Rev. Fr. Augustine Eleke*