April 8, 2010
Thursday in the Octave of Easter
The author of life you put to death, but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses. And by faith in his name, this man, whom you see and know, his name has made strong, and the faith that comes through it has given him this perfect health, in the presence of all of you. Acts 3:15-16
While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Luke 24:36-38
Piety
Father, thank you for giving me senses that allow me to experience your power in the world. Help me to use what I learn for the good of those around me.
Study
Look. Touch. Taste. Hear. Smell.
To know God, we have to use our whole body and all of our senses. To be truly a witness, the experience is about more than just what we see. We can not expect to know God by reading books alone or listening to even the grandest sermons. The incomplete experience will leave us troubled, with questions arising in our hearts.
The celebrations of the Triduum bring this sense-filled experience to bear. Incense fills our nostrils with the cloud that brings the Holy Spirit. The scriptures we hear and the preaching focuses on the most sacred parts of salvation history. Washing of the feet commemorate the role of servant leaders but also adds a special tender touch of warmth. Communion reenacts the tastes, flavor and experience of the Passover Seder. Veneration of the cross by touch and kiss bring us into another direct encounter with the Lord like the man cured at the portico. Today, the Risen Lord even asks his disciples to feed him fish. “Have you anything to eat?”
Action
Once we become aware through all of our senses, of the will of God, we can then open our minds, our hearts and our souls to his commands.
Jesus opens the minds of his disciples even after living and preaching among them for three years. We listen once again to the cycle of scripture from this holy season so our ears may hear and our minds be opened.
