His Word Today: From joy to generosity

Good morning everyone and Happy Easter.

As we continue our way through this first week of the Easter season, the scriptures place us with the disciples in the upper room.  The two disciples who encountered the risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus returned to Jerusalem and found their companions.  Can you imagine what that encounter must have been like?  The two who had returned from Emmaus would have been excited to tell the others about their encounter with Jesus: how he had walked with them, spoken with them, all the while unfamiliar to them until they had recognized him in the breaking of the bread (cf Lk 24:35).  Mary Magdalene would most probably have been there too, along with Peter and the other disciple (who is most probably John).  They too would have had joyous news to share.

In the midst of that excitement, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you' (Lk 24:36).  Despite the fact that they would have been startled to see him standing there, it is interesting to note that he did not intend to scare them, but rather to console them.  His greeting was an offering of peace, and peace is a precious gift that can only be offered by God.  Once again the disciples would have been overjoyed, and in case they should have any further doubt about whether he was truly risen, Jesus asked them for something to eat (cf Lk 24:41).  They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it ad ate it in front of them (Lk 24:42-43).

The joy that was Jesus' gift for his disciples bore fruit in generosity.  Jesus asked for something to eat so that he could prove to the disciples that he was not a figment of their imagination, but their immediate willingness to offer him fish was also significant.  Even today, when we encounter true joy, we also want to be generous.  It seems that one response flows from the other, perhaps in hopes of prolonging the pleasant experience that brought about the joy.  Pay attention today to the occasions when you encounter the gift of joy, and how often does this joy arouse within you a desire to be generous?

Have a great day.