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Gospel Reflection for Thursday, April 24, 2025
I read today’s Gospel and some words or ideas resonate deeply: peace, shared meals, Scriptures understood, and witnesses sent forth. If I had to summarize it all into one word, it would be “Eucharist.”
First comes peace. The presence of the risen Jesus isn’t like the eerie specters from horror films, threatening the living. His presence brings peace. God isn’t a source of conflict or unease for us. Life has enough moments of tension—conflicts, difficult decisions—all of which steal our sense of peace. But God’s presence restores it, encouraging us to rise, take responsibility, and face what needs to be done. He doesn’t provoke conflict; He is a perpetual source of peace and life.
Again, we find a shared meal. It’s at the table where friendships are forged, hearts open, and life becomes more fulfilling. Life is built in fellowship, not selfish isolation. This is why the Eucharist, despite often being ritualized or stereotyped, remains the core of Christian life—the clearest symbol of the Kingdom.
Yet, the table is not only for eating. It’s a space for conversation, dialogue, and explanation. In today’s text, we see Jesus clarifying the meaning of His life and death to His disciples. Around the table, understanding deepens, and hearts open wide.
However, Christians are not called to dwell endlessly in self-absorption or perpetual worship. The Eucharist—the Christian life—propels us into living testimony and proclamation of the Kingdom. Jesus’ message isn’t meant for us alone; it’s for everyone. Love—because God is love—is inherently expansive and welcoming to all. A disciple who feels the peace of Jesus within, shares the fellowship of the table, and receives the Word into their heart becomes a witness to Christ. The walls of our churches break open, transforming into doors through which we step out into the world to bring hope to all humanity.