GOSPEL

“Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day”

From the Gospel according to Luke 24:35-48

The disciples of Jesus recounted what had taken place along the way, and how they had come to recognize him in the breaking of bread. 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? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.”
And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.

He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them,
“Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Humans forever.

The eschatological human is destined to have a body as well. From the beginning, we will be soul and body, and we will continue to be so for eternity. God believes that the body is important for us, which is why Jesus shows his disciples that he is not a ghost; it was important for Him that they see he still has flesh and bones.

And why have a body for eternity? Because now and for eternity, we will express with our bodies the love that resides in our souls. We will still need to embrace each other, look at each other… because we are definitively, human.

Applied to Married Life:

Martin: Laura, do you love me?

Laura: Yes, I love you.

Martin: Then why don’t you show it?

Laura: Well, I express it to you in many ways.

Martin: Yes, but I mean with hugs, kisses, caresses…

Laura: Well, you know I’m not used to that, and it’s difficult for me. Although I understand I need to overcome it. Love should be demonstrated physically, or it’s not genuine. I recall a wife I was counseling to mend her relationship with her husband. She agreed with all the suggestions I gave her until I mentioned giving her husband a hug. Then, she outright refused.

Martin: Exactly, because deep down, she didn’t truly love her husband. I need to feel your love through those physical gestures. That’s how the grace of the sacrament is also transmitted between us.

Laura: Come here, you deserve a warm hug, my dear.

Mother,

We sanctify ourselves by expressing love with our bodies. Let us not forget that we were created human. Praise be to the Lord who also chose to become man.