HOMILY FOR THURSDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER
THEME: Understanding the Word
BY: FR. GERALD M. MUSA
HOMILY FOR THURSDAY APRIL 21 2022
“I prayed and understanding was given me; I entreated, and the spirit ofWisdom came to me” (Wisdom 7:7). Jesus had a meal with the two disciples who were on their way to Emmaus. “Then, he opened their minds to understand the scriptures…” Usually, at the introduction of the Gospel reading during Mass, participants trace the sign of the cross on their foreheads, on their lips, and their chests. The sign on the forehead is a prayer to understand the words of scripture (listen to it with an open mind); the sign on the lips is another prayer to proclaim what is read and the sign on the chest (over the heart) is an additional prayer asking God for the grace to cherish and safeguard the Gospel message in the heart. Jesus opened the minds of his disciples to understand the scriptures and he made them connect between the scriptures and the realities of their day. He made them see the hand of God in the mystery of His incarnation, teaching, passion, death, and resurrection. The gift of understanding is a special gift of the Holy Spirit, which enables people to interpret and view the events of life in the way God sees them.2 How often do we pray to God for the gift of understanding?
Acts of the Apostles 3:11-26; Luke 24:35-48; Easter Thursday