ACTS 3: 1 – 10

In those days: Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at that gate of the temple which is called Beautiful to ask alms of those who entered the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, with John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention upon them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognised him as the one who sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

The Word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 105: 1 – 2, 3 – 4, 6 – 7, 8 – 9 (R.) 3b

R/.  Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice.
Or:
Alleluia.

Give thanks to the Lord; proclaim his name.
Make known his deeds among the peoples.
O sing to him, sing his praise;
tell all his wonderful works! R.

Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice.
Turn to the Lord and his strength;
constantly seek his face. R.

O children of Abraham, his servant,
O descendants of the Jacob he chose,
he, the Lord, is our God;
his judgements are in all the earth. R.

He remembers his covenant forever:
the promise he ordained for a thousand generations,
the covenant  he made  with Abraham,
the oath he swore to Isaac.   R.
 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Psalm 115: 24

Alleluia.
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad.
Alleluia
 

GOSPEL
They recognised him in the breaking of the bread.
LUKE 24: 13 – 35

That very day [the first day of the week,] two of the disciples of Jesus were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.  Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The Gospel of the Lord
GOSPEL REFLECTION: The Word of God Burning Within
April 3, 2024

And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:30–31)

Two of Jesus’ disciples had been discussing the events of the past week as they walked the seven-mile journey along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They previously had hoped that Jesus was the one Who would redeem Israel—but then He was killed. And three days later, there were rumors of His Resurrection, which only left them confused. As they journeyed, Jesus appeared to the two disciples, but they did not recognize Him at first. His identity was hidden from their eyes. Jesus listened to them and expressed sorrow at their lack of understanding, so He explained to them the teachings of Moses and the prophets and that the Messiah needed to suffer, die and rise on the third day. As Jesus spoke, the disciples began to understand, and their hearts burned within them. Finally, in the gift of the Holy Eucharist, in the breaking of the Bread, their eyes were opened to see that it was Jesus with them.

Why did Jesus hide His risen presence from these disciples? It appears that He did so because they lacked faith. They said, “…we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel.” But the Crucifixion was too much for them to handle. They could not comprehend why the Redeemer had to suffer as Jesus did, so they began to doubt.

Too often we are like these disciples who are confused about matters of faith and who struggle with doubts. For that reason, we must see ourselves in the persons of these disciples as they walked the road to Emmaus. Jesus offered these disciples a wonderful gift of mercy by helping them to understand His saving act. He explained to them all that was taught in Scripture regarding Him. And as these disciples listened to Jesus teach them, they slowly came to believe.

We, too, must allow Jesus to teach us about the transforming power of His death and Resurrection. We must listen attentively and allow our hearts to burn within us as we listen to His holy Word. Only in this way will we come to the level of faith we need to more fully comprehend and accept the transforming power of the Paschal Mystery.

Reflect, today, upon these disciples and their need to reflect upon the Word of God so as to understand, believe and have their eyes opened. Know that you need this same grace. You need to spend time with our Lord, immersed in His Word, listening to His voice, so that you will come to believe more fully. Allow the message of Jesus’ death and Resurrection to burn within you so that you, too, will come to believe.

PRAYER:
My resurrected Lord, You appeared to these disciples who lacked faith and understanding and gave them the gift of Your holy teaching. Teach me, dear Lord, all that I must come to understand and know about You, Your death, Resurrection and glorious gift of new life. May Your Word burn within me and lead me to a transformation of my life. Jesus, I trust in You.

Chitatu 3 Kubvumbi – April;

Chitatu wePasika

Chiverengo chokutanga: Mabasa 3,1-10

Inzwai chiverengo chinobva mubhuku raMabasa aVaPositori
Rimwe zuva Pita naJohani vaienda kuTemberi
panguva dzokunamata, paawa yechitatu masikati.
Mumwe murume akanga akaremara kubvira
pakuberekwa kwake, aitakurwa zuva nezuva
achindorariswa pasuo guru rainzi Suorakanaka,
kuti akumbire rubatsiro kuvanhu vaipinda
muTemberi, paakaona Pita naJohani vava kuda
kupinda muTemberi, akavakumbira rubatsiro.
Pita aina Johani akanyatsomutarisisa akati,
“Titarise,” iye ndokuvanan’anidza achitarisira
kugamuchira chimwe chinhu kwavari. Asi Pita
akati, “Sirivha kana ndarama handina, asi ndinokupa chandinacho. Muzita raJesu Kristu weNazareti, ‘Chifamba.’” Ndokubva amubata ruoko
rworudyi achimusimudza. Pakarepo tsoka dzake
nezviziso zvadzo zvakabva zvasimba. Akakwakuka,
akamira, akafamba, akapinda muTemberi pamwechete navo, achiti pamwe fambei, pamwe osvetuka,
svetuka achirumbidza Mwari.
Vanhu vose vakamuona achifamba achirumbidza
Mwari vakamuziva kuti ndiye uya aigaririra
rubatsiro paSuorakanaka reTemberi. Vakakatyamadzwa vakanana kwazvo nezvakanga zvaitika
kwaari.
Shoko raTenzi

Rwiyo rwokutsinhira: Nziyo 105,1-9. (D – 3)

(D) – Mwoyo yavanotsvaka TENZI, ngaipembere nokufara.
Tendai TENZI, mumunamate nezita,
muparidze mabasa ake kundudzi dzavanhu.
Muimbirei mumurumbidze nenziyo,
mutaure zvishamiso zvaakaita.
(D) – Mwoyo yavanotsvaka TENZI, ngaipembere nokufara.
Pururudzai muzita rake rinoera; mwoyo
yavanotsvaka TENZI ipembere nokufara.
Nekairai kutsvaka TENZI, mutsvakewo simba
rake. Shungu yokuda kuva pana TENZI ngaive
mugariro.
(D) – Mwoyo yavanotsvaka TENZI, ngaipembere nokufara.
Imi chizvarwa chaAbhurahamu, muranda wake,
imi vana vaJakobho, vasarudzwi vake.
Iye TENZI ndiye Mwari wedu,
mirao yake hakuna kwaisiri pasi pose.
(D) – Mwoyo yavanotsvaka TENZI, ngaipembere nokufara.
Anorangarira nokusingaperi chitenderano
chake, chitsidzo chaanochengeta kusvikira
kuchizvarwa chechiuru.
Chitenderano chaakaita naAbhurahamu,
chitsidzo chaakaita kuna Isaki.
(D) – Mwoyo yavanotsvaka TENZI, ngaipembere nokufara.

Kupemberera Shoko Rakanaka:
Nziyo 118,24

Areruya, Areruya.
Iri ndiro zuva rakaitwa
naTENZI, ngatifarei kwazvo tipembere mariri.
Areruya

Shoko Rakanaka: Ruka 24,13-35

Inzwai Shoko Rakanaka rakanyorwa naRuka
Pazuva rokumuka kwaJesu, vamwe vaviri vavadzidzi vake vaienda kunomumwe musha wainzi
Emausi, waiva makiromita gumi nerimwechete
kubva kuJerusaremu, vachitaurirana nezvezvinhu
izvi zvose zvakanga zvaitika. Pavakanga vachitaura vachikurukurirana, Jesu pachake akaenda
pedyo akafamba navo. Asi vakaita chidzimira
vakatadza kumuziva.
Jesu akati kwavari, “Ko, chii chamuri kutaurirana
muchifamba kudai?” Vakamira kuti mbikiti vakati
surududu. Mumwe wavo ainzi Kiropasi akamupindura achiti, “Ndiwe woga here muenzi wemuJerusaremu, asingazivi zvinhu izvi zvakaitikamo
mazuva ano aya?” Iye akati kwavari, “Zvinhuiko
izvozvo?” Ivo vakati kwaari, “ZvaJesu weNazareti, aiva
muporofita, ane simba guru muzviito nomushoko
pamberi paMwari, napamberi pavanhu vose, uye
kuti vapristi vakuru navatongi vakamukwirira dare
kuti atongerwe rufu, vakamuroverera pamuchinjikwa. Asi taivimba kuti ndiye aizonunura
Isiraeri. Chimwewo ndechokuti zvino atova mazuva
matatu zvaitika. Chimwezve ndechokuti mamwe
madzimai echikwata chedu vatikangaidza. Vaenda
kuguva mangwanani ngwanani vakashaya
chitunha chake. Vadzoka vavakuti vaona chiratidzo
chavatumwa vari kuti mupenyu. Vamwe vedu
vatanga tinavo vaendawo kuguva, vakaona zvinhu
zvakaita sokutaura kwanga kwaitwa namadzimai,
asi iye havana kumuona.”
Jesu ndokuti kwavari, “Oo, inga muri mazirema
chaiwo avanhu! Mune chinono chaicho kutenda
zvose zvakataurwa navaporofita. Zvakanga
zvisingafaniri here kuti iye Kristu atambudzike
saizvozvi achizopinda mumbiri yake?” Ndipo
paakatangisa nokuna Mosesi navaporofita vose,
achivatsanangurira muMagwaro Matsvene ose
zvinhu zvakanangana naiye pachake.
Pavakanga vava kuda kusvika pamusha wavaienda, akaita seavakupfuurira. Asi vakamugombedzera vachiti, “Garai nesu nokuti kwava kuda
kuvira zuva rapera.” Saka akapinda kundogara navo. Paakanga ari pakudya navo, akatora chingwa akachikomborera ndokuchimedura akachipa
kwavari. Maziso avo akabva azaruka vakabva
vamuziva, asi iye akabva anyangarika kwavari.
Vakataurirana vachiti, “Mwoyo yedu haina kunge
yava kutopisirira here mukati medu paanga achitaura kwatiri munzira; paya paanga achitizarurira
Magwaro Matsvene?”
Vakabva vasimuka nguva yakareyo vakadzokera
kuJerusaremu. Vakasvikowana vane gumi nomumwechete vaya vakaungana navamwe vavaiva
navo, vakati, “Tenzi wamuka zvechokwadi uye
azviratidza kuna Simioni.” Ivowo vakavataurira
zvakanga zvaitika panzira, uye kuti vakamuziva sei
pakumedura chingwa.

Shoko Rakanaka raTenzi

GOSPEL REFLECTION: The Word of God Burning Within
April 3, 2024

And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:30–31)

Two of Jesus’ disciples had been discussing the events of the past week as they walked the seven-mile journey along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They previously had hoped that Jesus was the one Who would redeem Israel—but then He was killed. And three days later, there were rumors of His Resurrection, which only left them confused. As they journeyed, Jesus appeared to the two disciples, but they did not recognize Him at first. His identity was hidden from their eyes. Jesus listened to them and expressed sorrow at their lack of understanding, so He explained to them the teachings of Moses and the prophets and that the Messiah needed to suffer, die and rise on the third day. As Jesus spoke, the disciples began to understand, and their hearts burned within them. Finally, in the gift of the Holy Eucharist, in the breaking of the Bread, their eyes were opened to see that it was Jesus with them.

Why did Jesus hide His risen presence from these disciples? It appears that He did so because they lacked faith. They said, “…we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel.” But the Crucifixion was too much for them to handle. They could not comprehend why the Redeemer had to suffer as Jesus did, so they began to doubt.

Too often we are like these disciples who are confused about matters of faith and who struggle with doubts. For that reason, we must see ourselves in the persons of these disciples as they walked the road to Emmaus. Jesus offered these disciples a wonderful gift of mercy by helping them to understand His saving act. He explained to them all that was taught in Scripture regarding Him. And as these disciples listened to Jesus teach them, they slowly came to believe.

We, too, must allow Jesus to teach us about the transforming power of His death and Resurrection. We must listen attentively and allow our hearts to burn within us as we listen to His holy Word. Only in this way will we come to the level of faith we need to more fully comprehend and accept the transforming power of the Paschal Mystery.

Reflect, today, upon these disciples and their need to reflect upon the Word of God so as to understand, believe and have their eyes opened. Know that you need this same grace. You need to spend time with our Lord, immersed in His Word, listening to His voice, so that you will come to believe more fully. Allow the message of Jesus’ death and Resurrection to burn within you so that you, too, will come to believe.

PRAYER:
My resurrected Lord, You appeared to these disciples who lacked faith and understanding and gave them the gift of Your holy teaching. Teach me, dear Lord, all that I must come to understand and know about You, Your death, Resurrection and glorious gift of new life. May Your Word burn within me and lead me to a transformation of my life. Jesus, I trust in You.