TOPIC: HOW TO RECOGNIZE JESUS
1. STORY
John was a businessman, who on weekends would take a few poor children
out for an enjoyable day. First, he
would buy them some new clothes, then would take them to see a good movie or go
to an amusement park and finally end the day with a tasty meal.
One day after finishing a delicious meal, one of the young children
asked John if he was Jesus. John smiled
and said no. The boy said that he knew
that Jesus helped people and thought that as John always helped people, he
might be Jesus. The boy knew Jesus as
one who helped people.
2. GOSPEL: JOHN 24:13-35
A) THE DISCIPLES DID NOT RECOGNIZE JESUS
While they were walking to a village named Emmaus, the two disciples
were discussing what had happened to Jesus in Jerusalem during the past few
days. Though Jesus walked along with
them, they did not recognize him as being the risen Jesus.
B) JESUS HELPING THEM TO RECOGNIZE THAT HE WAS THE RISEN JESUS
Jesus helped them in two ways.
i) He explained the meaning of the bible, “Beginning then, with Moses
and all the prophets, he interpreted for them every passage of the Scripture
which referred to him.”
ii) He celebrated the Eucharist with them. He took bread, pronounced
the blessing, then broke the bread and began to distribute it to them. With that their eyes were open and they
recognized him.
3. APPLICATION TO LIFE
A) MANY DO NOT RECOGNIZE JESUS
Many believe that Jesus does not exist. Others believe that if Jesus is God, he is not
concerned about us and does not help us as they cite the many problems in the
world. Many believe that Jesus lived
2,000 years ago and in no way can help us today.
B) WE HELP OTHERS TO RECOGNIZE JESUS
We recognize a policeman, a nurse, or a priest by the uniform they wear.
We recognize Jesus in the following
ways:
i) By those who are kind, caring, and helpful to others such as Mother
Teresa who spent her life in helping the poor; in St. Pope John Paul II who was
a caring shepherd who preached the gospel throughout the world; in a gentle
parent, a kind teacher, or a patient nurse.
ii) We recognize Jesus in the word of God, the Eucharist, and in our
prayers. We also help people to see
Jesus when we are helpful, kind, patient, caring, and forgiving toward others.
4. CONCLUSION
The children thought John might be Jesus as he was so kind and caring
toward them. The disciples only
recognized Jesus after he had helped them by explaining the Scriptures to them
and sharing the Eucharist with them. Today
we recognize Jesus in those who help others such as Mother Teresa, St. Pope
John Paul II, a caring parent, a kind teacher, or a patient nurse. We help others to see Jesus by our kind words
and helpful actions.
