Nagambie Parish

SUNDAY (1st & 3rd)

St. Malachy’s 09:00 am 

St. Mary’s 11:00 am 

*2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays Liturgy of the Word and Holy Communion

Focus on the Gospel 

This passage from the gospel of Luke immediately follows the story of the road to Emmaus and very similar to last week’s passage in which Jesus appeared to the gathered disciples. However, what this account gives us, that last week’s account from the gospel of John did not, is a powerful message about understanding the scriptures. In the final verses of the passage, Jesus reveals to the disciples that his presence with them is what he’d been talking about when he’d spoken about the fulfilment of the scriptures. And then, ‘He opened their minds to understand the scriptures.’ This is an important gospel indication that the scriptures are to be read for understanding and for meaning. It is an imperative that we delve into the scriptures and look for meaning rather than superficial, literal interpretation that is prominent in much of society today. When we only read the scriptures ‘literally’ i.e. accepting the exact wording as literally true, we deny the depth and breadth of the scriptural messages that are conveyed through image, metaphor, irony and other forms of figurative speech as well as ignoring the rich contextual information that is often hidden within and behind the text. Jesus’ enlightenment of the disciples makes plain the importance of ‘understanding’ scripture not just blindly accepting it. © Greg Sunter Quote of the Day Good Friday and Easter free us to think about other things far beyond our own personal fate, about the ultimate meaning of all life, suffering, and events; and we lay hold of a great hope. Dietrich Bonhoeffer 

Easter Poem 

Remain with us, Lord Jesus, you who were the guest at Emmaus; 

throughout the watches of the night, resurrected, you lead us. 

Taking bread, you broke it, then our eyes recognised you, 

the flickering flame in our heart foretells our true happiness. 

The time is short, our days are fleeting. 

But you prepare your house, 

you give a meaning to our desires, a future to our labours. 

You the first of the pilgrims, the star of the last morning, 

awake in us by your love a great hope in your return. 

Commission Francophone Cistercienne, The Night, The Day