Wednesday in the Octave of Easter
(Acts 3:1-10; Luke 24:13-35)
Ask people who work daily with the poor about giving money
to a street beggar. They will probably tell
you it is not a good idea and advise you to contribute to a charity. In today’s first reading Peter suggests
something more. He would have you share
Jesus Christ with the person.
It is not a pious put-off.
In a poem called “Eucharist” the narrator speaks of a ragman, a
prostitute, a lonely widow he meets. To
each he responds as a caring neighbor.
He greets the ragman, kindly refuses the prostitute’s offer, and listens
to the lonely woman. These actions were
giving Christ.
After the Lenten exercise we should find less trouble in
living as new women and men. Discernment
should easier. Doing good should be more
of a joy. We have experienced the risen
Christ in the liturgies of Holy Week.
Now we share him with others.
