Sixth Sunday
Gospel Luke: 24:36-48
36While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”37But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost.
38Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?
39Look 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.”
40And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
41While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?”
42They gave him a piece of baked fish;
43he took it and ate it in front of them.
44He 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.”
5Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures.
46 And he said to them,y “Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day
47and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.48You are witnesses of these things.
Reflection 1
We bear the marks of his love, the signs of hope
In this Sunday’s Gospel, the Risen Jesus appears to His disciples and greets them with peace. Though startled and full of doubt, they encounter His living presence—wounded, yet glorified. Jesus patiently opens their minds to understand the Scriptures and commissions them to preach repentance and forgiveness in His name.
This moment is not just history; it is our mission today. As followers of the Risen Lord, we are called to be people of peace, to carry His healing presence into our world, and to be witnesses of His mercy.
Jesus didn’t hide his wounds
His scars tell a story—not of defeat, but of love. They reveal the cost of redemption and the depth of His mercy. In His glorified body, the wounds remain, not to bring shame or sorrow, but to show that nothing given in love is ever lost.
And if Jesus didn’t hide His wounds, maybe we don’t have to either.
So often we hide the parts of our story that carry pain—our struggles, our losses, our sins. But it’s precisely in those places that Christ’s healing grace can shine the brightest. When we allow others to see where we’ve been touched by suffering and healed by mercy, we give witness to the power of the Resurrection.
How can we be witnesses to the Gospel in our daily lives?
Jesus calls His disciples to be “witnesses of these things.” That call hasn’t changed. We, too, are invited to witness—not just to a historical event, but to a living relationship with the Risen Lord.
Here are a few ways we can do:
Let our actions match our faith—at home, at work, at school and online.
Be visible in our faith-We shouldn't shy away from expressing our Christian or Maronite identity. Whether it's praying in public, wearing a cross or speaking openly about attending Mass, these simple acts can be powerful witnesses to our faith.
Speak of Christ-We should not be afraid to say His name in conversations, decisions, and encouragement, let Christ be visible in our words.
Show mercy- In a culture quick to judge, be someone quick to forgive.
Be joyful in hope-Even amid trials, let the joy of the Resurrection shape our perspective. Joy rooted in faith is contagious.
Share your testimony- we shouldn’t be afraid to speak about how Christ has worked in our lives—even in our brokenness. Our story, with all its wounds and healing, might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.
To be a true witness today is to live a life that makes others wonder what gives us peace, strength and hope—and to lovingly tell them: it is Jesus.
Thought for the week
What place has the understanding of the scriptures in our interpretation of our life in Jesus Christ? Does our meeting with the Risen Lord in the Eucharist make us enthusiastic servants of the Good News of the Resurrection? Gwen Simon
Reflection 2
“You are witnesses of these things”
Jesus appears for a third time to the eleven apostles and others in Jerusalem. The disciples were frightened when Jesus appeared in their midst. However, in the midst of their brokenness and confusion he inspired them, enhanced their faith and brought them peace. As they share a meal, they experienced joy, disbelief and wonder. Jesus explains to them how his resurrection into glory, after his death by crucifixion, fulfils the scriptures. God’s plan for the world is fulfilled in Jesus and it is to be continued in the mission of his disciples.He also tells them that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed to all nations, starting in Jerusalem. Finally, Jesus commissions His disciples to be His witnesses. He assures them that they will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out this mission, spreading the message of salvation to the world
We are like a link in a chain- By Gwen Simon
Looking at our lives today, what influence does the reality of the Resurrection exercise upon our life as believers? What place has the understanding of the scriptures
in our interpretation of our life in Jesus Christ? Does our meeting with the Risen Lord in the Eucharist make us enthusiastic servants of the Good News of the Resurrection?
We are like a link in a chain. We will be judged on how strong or weak a link we have been depending on how clearly our lives, our words, our actions, our values will be shown to have been in harmony with our belief that Jesus, by dying destroyed our death, and by rising, restored our life.
May our belief in the Resurrection and our worthy reception of the Eucharist strengthen us and help us to be living witnesses to Jesus in our lives.
A thought of the week
We are only pilgrims passing through this life towards our true home in heaven. To persevere we need the virtue of hope, and the Ascension is the mystery of hope.
Gospel Luke: 24:36-48
36While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”37But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost.
38Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?
39Look 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.”
40And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
41While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?”
42They gave him a piece of baked fish;
43he took it and ate it in front of them.
44He 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.”
5Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures.
46 And he said to them,y “Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day
47and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.48You are witnesses of these things.
Reflection 1
We bear the marks of his love, the signs of hope
In this Sunday’s Gospel, the Risen Jesus appears to His disciples and greets them with peace. Though startled and full of doubt, they encounter His living presence—wounded, yet glorified. Jesus patiently opens their minds to understand the Scriptures and commissions them to preach repentance and forgiveness in His name.
This moment is not just history; it is our mission today. As followers of the Risen Lord, we are called to be people of peace, to carry His healing presence into our world, and to be witnesses of His mercy.
Jesus didn’t hide his wounds
His scars tell a story—not of defeat, but of love. They reveal the cost of redemption and the depth of His mercy. In His glorified body, the wounds remain, not to bring shame or sorrow, but to show that nothing given in love is ever lost.
And if Jesus didn’t hide His wounds, maybe we don’t have to either.
So often we hide the parts of our story that carry pain—our struggles, our losses, our sins. But it’s precisely in those places that Christ’s healing grace can shine the brightest. When we allow others to see where we’ve been touched by suffering and healed by mercy, we give witness to the power of the Resurrection.
How can we be witnesses to the Gospel in our daily lives?
Jesus calls His disciples to be “witnesses of these things.” That call hasn’t changed. We, too, are invited to witness—not just to a historical event, but to a living relationship with the Risen Lord.
Here are a few ways we can do:
Let our actions match our faith—at home, at work, at school and online.
Be visible in our faith-We shouldn't shy away from expressing our Christian or Maronite identity. Whether it's praying in public, wearing a cross or speaking openly about attending Mass, these simple acts can be powerful witnesses to our faith.
Speak of Christ-We should not be afraid to say His name in conversations, decisions, and encouragement, let Christ be visible in our words.
Show mercy- In a culture quick to judge, be someone quick to forgive.
Be joyful in hope-Even amid trials, let the joy of the Resurrection shape our perspective. Joy rooted in faith is contagious.
Share your testimony- we shouldn’t be afraid to speak about how Christ has worked in our lives—even in our brokenness. Our story, with all its wounds and healing, might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.
To be a true witness today is to live a life that makes others wonder what gives us peace, strength and hope—and to lovingly tell them: it is Jesus.
Thought for the week
What place has the understanding of the scriptures in our interpretation of our life in Jesus Christ? Does our meeting with the Risen Lord in the Eucharist make us enthusiastic servants of the Good News of the Resurrection? Gwen Simon
Reflection 2
“You are witnesses of these things”
Jesus appears for a third time to the eleven apostles and others in Jerusalem. The disciples were frightened when Jesus appeared in their midst. However, in the midst of their brokenness and confusion he inspired them, enhanced their faith and brought them peace. As they share a meal, they experienced joy, disbelief and wonder. Jesus explains to them how his resurrection into glory, after his death by crucifixion, fulfils the scriptures. God’s plan for the world is fulfilled in Jesus and it is to be continued in the mission of his disciples.He also tells them that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed to all nations, starting in Jerusalem. Finally, Jesus commissions His disciples to be His witnesses. He assures them that they will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out this mission, spreading the message of salvation to the world
We are like a link in a chain- By Gwen Simon
Looking at our lives today, what influence does the reality of the Resurrection exercise upon our life as believers? What place has the understanding of the scriptures
in our interpretation of our life in Jesus Christ? Does our meeting with the Risen Lord in the Eucharist make us enthusiastic servants of the Good News of the Resurrection?
We are like a link in a chain. We will be judged on how strong or weak a link we have been depending on how clearly our lives, our words, our actions, our values will be shown to have been in harmony with our belief that Jesus, by dying destroyed our death, and by rising, restored our life.
May our belief in the Resurrection and our worthy reception of the Eucharist strengthen us and help us to be living witnesses to Jesus in our lives.
A thought of the week
We are only pilgrims passing through this life towards our true home in heaven. To persevere we need the virtue of hope, and the Ascension is the mystery of hope.