In a recent discussion on homelessness, the group attempted to draw up a strategy to help alleviate homelessness in the world. The foundation from which the group worked was from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGSs, often called the UN Global Goals are a charter of 17 interconnected objectives designed to create a better world for all, by 2030. Goals numbered 1, 2, 3, 8, 16 and 17 relate to homelessness directly. To eradicate poverty and to work for the common good, it is of paramount importance that governments and societies take cognisance of these goals.
In the discussion, two people took part who had the lived experience of being homeless. Firstly, they suggested that a homeless person needs someone to recognise his/her presence. The second thing that would help people who are homeless they added, was more digital connectivity. One might have thought that the priority for a homeless person was a house! Sometimes it is not about strategies people draw up! The beginning of hope for one who is homeless is recognition as a human being.
In the reading for Mass today (Acts 3:1-10), the word proclaims the healing of a lame man. Paralysed from birth, the people brought him every day to the temple gate to beg from those who went into the temple. One day, Peter and John went to the temple. They saw the man who asked them for alms. Peter said to him, ‘Look at us’. The man expected to receive something from them but Peter said he had neither silver nor gold but acknowledged, ‘what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus of Nazareth: the Messiah, walk!’ Peter helped the man up and he began to jump up and down. He went into the temple, praised God, and shared the good news. It was not Peter or John that worked the miracle. Jesus worked through them. Jesus also works through each one of us. We can claim nothing of our own as everything comes through God and other people. Jesus is always alive and present among us.
The Gospel proclaimed at Mass today (Lk 24:13-35) describes the disciples’ surprise at their encounter with Jesus. It was only when the disciples shared the table with him and when Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it to them that they identified him in the action. Having recognised Jesus, they too ‘told their story of what happened on the road and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread.’
After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to many of the disciples. None of them initially recognised him. When Jesus spoke to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, he began with Moses and the prophets and explained to them everything that was written in the Scriptures about himself.
So today, let us explore what Scripture tells us about Jesus so we too may share the Good News of Jesus’ life death and resurrection.
VERITAS publications provides online resources for the Easter theme in the Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé religious education programme. These include the Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé e-books and are available on the Grow in Love website:
Website: www.growinlove.ie
Email: trial@growinlove.ie
Password: growinlove
INVITATION
PRAY
- Pray the Nicene Creed / An Chré Nicé-Chathair Constantin from Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé Rang VI
- Pray St Patrick’s Breastplate/ Lúireach Phádraig from Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé
READ
- From your Bible or Grow in Love/ I nGrá Dé e-book for Fifth Class read the story of ‘The Road to Emmaus’ (Lk 24:13-35)/ An tSiúlóid chuig Eamáús (Lúcás 24:13-35).
DO
- Look at a map and find Jerusalem. Then find out how many kilometres Emmaus is from Jerusalem.
- On the internet, find the Sustainable Development Goals. What progress do you think our country is making to be a better place for everyone by 2030?
- Find the video lyrics of the following songs in the Grow in Love Fifth Class programme: ‘The Welcome Table’, ‘We come to your Feast’.
Sr Anne Neylon