Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Wednesday in the Octave of Easter, April 8th, 2026

Delivered by Leon Satyawan from the Parish of Santa Helena in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, Indonesia. Acts of the Apostles 3: 1-10; Rs psalm 105: 1-2.3-4.6-7.8-9; Luke 24: 13-35.EASTER GIFTS FROM JESUS Our meditation today has the theme: Easter Gifts FromJesus. The ultimate and special gift for us on Easter Sunday is theresurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. That event truly becomes thegreatest gift and we are guided to believe in its truth. We embrace and buildup our faith in God based on the truth that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, trulyrisen from the dead. This greatest gift generates many other gifts that we cancall them the Easter gifts. These gifts refer to the number of apparitions ofthe risen Jesus. In every event of apparition, Jesus gave meaning to themystery of His resurrection. Today, the gift offered is about His coming andjoining the two disciples on their way to Emmaus. The apparition portrays Jesuslike a stranger who reprimands us by saying: How little your understanding! Howslow your ability to believe! Overcoming our limitations in recognizing andacknowledging Him, the risen Jesus would open our senses, minds and hearts sothat we can welcome Him with proper disposition as believers. Because of theselimitations, He provides a way for us to get to know Him through two maininstruments, namely the interpretation of the scriptures and the breaking ofthe Eucharistic bread (Luke 24, 35). Jesus' best Easter gifts for us are His words that areexplained correctly and properly, and the Eucharist which is a memory of thefirst Easter that He himself instituted. The physical apparition experienced bythe two disciples of Emmaus, as well as a series of other physical apparitionshappened to the rest of the disciples, are equally meaningful and revealing tothe various experiences of Jesus showing Himself spiritually to each one of us.The risen Christ asks for the attention and obedience of those who see and meetHim. If we don't follow the moment He appears and talks to us, we will lose thelight of truth that He wants to give to us. Our attention and obedience are directed to Him.Wherever and whenever we are to meet Him, we need to dispose ourselvessincerely and worthily. Whenever and whereever His word is proclaimed, our mostnecessary disposition is to open ourselves, to listen, and to understand.Usually if these attitudes are not properly and correctly implemented, God'spresence will be out of our awareness and even goes unnoticed, and the meaningof His words will disappear like the blowing wind. Likewise, when the Eucharistis celebrated and well participated, our proper disposition is to openourselves, having sincere and pure hearts, and make oneself a pleasing homethat God will be pleased to stay and be with us at all times. Usually if theseattitudes are not well practiced, then the Eucharist will only be an activitythat has no influence in one's life. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O Lord Jesus Christ, bless us and enable usto recognize You in every moment Your Word preached and the Eucharistcelebrated. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... Inthe name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ...