Reader Contributions

DOUBLE JOY

By TAMMY-THAO TRAN     4/21/2021

“Have you anything here to eat?” Jesus asked his disciples after He had risen (Lk 24:41).

I love this scene, probably because I enjoy sharing meals with others. When Jesus teaches the crowd, appears to His disciples, or when he meets the two men walking to Emmaus, food is always shared.

Food is not the main reason to share a meal. Rather, it is a medium to facilitate our relationships. It is a time to celebrate, to share our joys and sorrows; to seek advice, to solve a problem. Sharing a meal is a way to share each other’s lives.

Food is necessary for the body to sustain our physical needs. But what about our spiritual needs? Without spiritual food our souls would not survive. Jesus often used food in His teachings. He taught compassion by feeding thousands of His followers. Through the story of the poor man Lazaro who longed to eat just the food scraps, He teaches us to share what we have. Perhaps His most important lesson taught through food is His teachings of salvation after the breaking of the bread “then He opened their minds to understand the scriptures” (Lk 24:45).

Are you elated that COVID-19 infections are dying down in our country? We are finally able to get out of the house, feeling less anxious or worrying less about catching the virus. We can now go out to enjoy our meals with others while still being vigilant, using our common sense, and observing the Health Department guidelines.

Alleluia! – JESUS HAS RISEN. Yes, THE LORD HAS RISEN!

Through Christ, the Savior and Redeemer, Jesus is inviting each of us to have a meal with him in the Holy Eucharistic at every Catholic Mass. Would you like to go to banquets with Him, His mother Mary, Saint Joseph and a whole choir of angels and saints? Where else can you find the peace, joy, satisfaction, and promise of everlasting life? As He said: ”My flesh is true food and my blood is true drink” (Jn 6:51-55). The pandemic restrictions have eased and Church doors are now open to welcome you and anyone who truly wants to receive the real body and blood of Christ.

Rejoice and be glad! – The tomb is empty and Jesus has risen. He has also led us out from our COVID-19 tombs.

ALLELUIA! – ALLELUIA! Wishing all of you a BLESSED EASTER