Healing Presence

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, Wednesday of the Easter Octave, challenge us to review our walk in life with openness to the events which may have brought us close to the Presence of Christ as we assess our impatience with the Way God is revealing His Love to us.

Healing People

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles presents the Healing of a lame beggar as Peter approaches the Temple.

* [3:1–4:31] This section presents a series of related events: the dramatic cure of a lame beggar (Acts 3:1–10) produces a large audience for the kerygmatic discourse of Peter (Acts 3:11–26).…

* [3:1] For the three o’clock hour of prayer: literally, “at the ninth hour of prayer.” With the day beginning at 6 A.M., the ninth hour would be 3 P.M.

* [3:6–10] The miracle has a dramatic cast; it symbolizes the saving power of Christ and leads the beggar to enter the temple, where he hears Peter’s proclamation of salvation through Jesus. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 105 invites us to praise and seek the presence of God.

* [Psalm 105] A hymn to God who promised the land of Canaan to the holy people, cf. Ps 78; 106; 136. Israel is invited to praise and seek the presence of God (Ps 105:1–6), who is faithful to the promise of land to the ancestors (Ps 105:7–11). (Psalms, PSALM 105 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel, Luke presents the Appearance of Resurrected Jesus on the Road to Emmaus.

* [24:13–35] This episode focuses on the interpretation of scripture by the risen Jesus and the recognition of him in the breaking of the bread. The references to the quotations of scripture and explanation of it (Lk 24:25–27), the kerygmatic proclamation (Lk 24:34), and the liturgical gesture (Lk 24:30) suggest that the episode is primarily catechetical and liturgical rather than apologetic.

* [24:13] Seven miles: literally, “sixty stades.” A stade was 607 feet. Some manuscripts read “160 stades” or more than eighteen miles. The exact location of Emmaus is disputed.

* [24:16] A consistent feature of the resurrection stories is that the risen Jesus was different and initially unrecognizable (Lk 24:37; Mk 16:12; Jn 20:14; 21:4).

* [24:26] That the Messiah should suffer…: Luke is the only New Testament writer to speak explicitly of a suffering Messiah (Lk 24:26, 46; Acts 3:18; 17:3; 26:23). The idea of a suffering Messiah is not found in the Old Testament or in other Jewish literature prior to the New Testament period, although the idea is hinted at in Mk 8:31–33. See notes on Mt 26:63 and 26:67–68. (Luke, CHAPTER 24 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. Larry Gillick, SJ, tells of a walk with a close person that was kind of a sweet/sour relating of all the bumps and bruises encountered, endured in our recent days. Sweet, because we enjoy self-righteous sufferings and judgments. Sour, because we cannot do anything in retribution in reality except pout.

Well, of course, Jesus came alongside and butted in on our conversation and began untangling the threads of our self-centered prayer or whatever it was.

He went with me and started to talk about worthy/unworthy. He reminded me that He was my worthiness. When I allowed Him to embrace my real, true poverty which accompanies my acceptance of my humanity, my poverty. Unworthiness is the destructive invitation of the Corruptor. “I am in a constant battle between His Creative Spirit and my own subtle seduction of my creating my richness, my own image, my own worthiness, my little self-kingdom.”

With this little shot across my floundering deck, He went on His way, leaving me worthy to be myself more gratefully and less occupied with, hmm, I forgot. Omaha never looked so welcoming as my home. (Gillick, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The Easter Alleluia,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Now therefore, brethren, we urge you to praise God. That is what we are all telling each other when we say Alleluia. You say to your neighbor, "Praise the Lord!" and he says the same to you. We are all urging one another to praise the Lord, and all thereby doing what each of us urges the other to do. But see that your praise comes from your whole being; in other words, see that you praise God not with your lips and voices alone, but with your minds, your lives and all your actions." (excerpt from commentary on Psalm 148) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 3 :1-10 comments how appropriate that we hear this passage during the Octave of Easter! Jesus’ resurrection is the perfect example of how God not only honors the physical world but is committed to working in it and through it. God didn’t simply send an angel to tell us that his Son had overcome death. He raised Jesus’ body from the dead to demonstrate that his kingdom is a place where brokenness of any kind can be transformed into wholeness. Similarly, by grasping the beggar’s hand while healing him, Peter reveals that Jesus has transformed our world—and that he will continue to transform it.

So this Easter week, praise the Lord who heals and restores. And find ways to demonstrate his healing love. Reach out to those close to you and offer them the grace of Jesus’ healing touch. You never know what might happen! 

“Jesus, make me an instrument of your healing!” (Meditation on Acts 3 :1-10, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments the reading from Acts when Peter and John enter the Temple area indicates they are still attending the Temple worship as Jews. This healing marks the continuation of Jesus' ministry that His disciples have taken over. Luke presents this  in Acts as Jesus ministry through the Apostles. In the Gospel, Luke presents the second resurrection narrative, a walk where Jesus is not recognized as He joins two disciples consumed with their thought. This is the second of three times, in the Gospel of Luke, where the Resurrected Jesus is not immediately recognized. The third appearance occurs when the apostles are fishing on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus teaches them, on the walk, about Scripture and how His mission is foretold. Friar Jude notes Jesus is recognized and remembered at the breaking of the bread and, as they recall, His Presence on the walk, in the sharing of the Word.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces womanist theologian Yolanda Pierce who reminds us that the resurrection and its promise of new life doesn’t erase the pain of what has been lost. Pierce notes that to Thomas, Jesus speaks the words, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side” (John 20:27)….

There is an intimacy to Jesus’s command to Thomas, a closeness that we cannot overlook. Christ invites him to touch the unhealed wounds—to feel the places where nails and spear had pierced his body. It is a proclamation that the physical body still matters…. Wounds, too, are a part of the divine story. By sharing his wounds, Jesus reveals that our wounds are places for God’s healing presence and love.

This is a theology for the wounded, for those who are still healing, and even for those who aren’t quite ready for healing. The risen Savior insistently welcomes the doubting, the uncertain, and the grieving to touch and see that he is real and present and here with us. The risen Savior, who had been abandoned, denied, betrayed, and crucified, doesn’t hide his wounds or rush their healing. As wounded people encased in the frailties of human flesh, can we, too, summon enough grace and kindness to acknowledge that our own very human wounds need time to heal?…

This is an embodied theology. In these stories, the physical body and the tangible world are consistently presented as ways of intimately knowing God. Some saw and believed; others have not seen and still believed. At the center of both experiences is God-in-flesh, loving us in our own wounded places. (Rohr, n.d.)

We invite the Spirit to come on our journey and reveal to us the connection we have to Jesus walking with us transforming the wounds and hurts that life inflects.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 8, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/3?1 

Gillick, L. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved April 8, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-april-8-2026 

Luke, CHAPTER 24 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 8, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/24?13 

Meditation on Acts 3 :1-10. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved April 8, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/04/07/1539149/ 

Psalms, PSALM 105 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings. Retrieved April 8, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/105?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Hope for the Wounded. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 8, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/hope-for-the-wounded/  

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Did Not Our Hearts Burn While He Opened to Us the Scriptures. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 8, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Traditions of Generosity

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today alert us to some of the examples of action in our Way of Life that allow Providence to be witnessed in our environment.

 

Giving Generously

The Reading from the Book of Daniel shares the spiritual and physical health in attending to our religious traditions

* [1:8] This defilement: the bread, meat, and wine of the Gentiles were unclean (Hos 9:3; Tb 1:12; Jdt 10:5; 12:1–2) because they might have been offered to idols; and the meat may not have been drained of blood, as Jewish dietary law requires. This test relates to the attempt of Antiochus to force Jews to eat forbidden foods in contempt of their religion (1 Mc 1:62–63; 2 Mc 6:18; 7:1).

* [1:21] The first year of King Cyrus: the year of this Persian king’s conquest of Babylon, 539/538 B.C. (Daniel, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Daniel 3 proclaims the blessing of the Lord.

* [3:24–90] These verses are additions to the Aramaic text of Daniel, translated from the Greek form of the book. They were probably first composed in Hebrew or Aramaic, but are no longer extant in the original language. The Roman Catholic Church has always regarded them as part of the canonical Scriptures. (Daniel, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus proclaims the value of the Poor Widow’s Contribution.*

* [21:1–4] The widow is another example of the poor ones in this gospel whose detachment from material possessions and dependence on God leads to their blessedness (Lk 6:20). Her simple offering provides a striking contrast to the pride and pretentiousness of the scribes denounced in the preceding section (Lk 20:45–47). The story is taken from Mk 12:41–44. (Luke, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB, n.d.)

Edward Morse comments that today’s gospel illustrates understanding that proceeds from the lens of faith, which is not limited to the parameters that guide us in earthly matters. Those who only see and hear clanking coins going into the treasury would have been astonished at our Lord’s assessment of the widow’s mite.

It is important to recognize that the hearts and motivations of others are often opaque to us. In this sense, we are not like our Lord. Despite our imperfect understanding, we can learn from this example. By overemphasizing external signs, we may neglect or overlook the more that may be present. Being open to the possibility of more and recognizing the limits of our understanding is a good start on the path toward wisdom. Openness and humility beat hubris – or at least that is the way to bet.

God, in his mercy, sometimes gives us a glimpse of the more, which warms our hearts and confirms the reality on which our faith depends, allowing us to continue the journey with a little spring in our steps. And sharing that spring with others may foster a little valor, an area where we can all use a boost. Thanks be to God. (Morse, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “Mercy and compassion are never worthless,” by Leo the Great, 400-461 A.D.

"Although the spite of some people does not grow gentle with any kindness, nevertheless the works of mercy are not fruitless, and kindness never loses what is offered to the ungrateful. May no one, dearly beloved, make themselves strangers to good works. Let no one claim that his poverty scarcely sufficed for himself and could not help another. What is offered from a little is great, and in the scale of divine justice, the quantity of gifts is not measured but the steadfastness of souls. The "widow" in the Gospel put two coins into the "treasury," and this surpassed the gifts of all the rich. No mercy is worthless before God. No compassion is fruitless. He has given different resources to human beings, but he does not ask different affections." (excerpt from Sermon 20.3.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 21:1-4 comments that Jesus pointed her out because her actions were the complete opposite of the wealthy, who gave “from their surplus.” She gave out of a love that trusted in God’s goodness, a love that moved her to freely offer him “her whole livelihood” (Luke 21:4).

When we give something, we naturally want some kind of notice or thanks, and sometimes that does happen. But even if no one congratulates us, even if we are ignored by everyone just as this widow was, we can take comfort in knowing that the Lord sees us, and he rejoices in our generosity. Even more, we can take comfort in knowing that every act of kindness or generosity toward someone in need is more than just a kind gesture. It’s also an encounter with Jesus. He assures us that everything we do for “one of these least” brothers and sisters of his, we do for him (Matthew 25:40). He promises that he will notice every time we give of our money, our possessions, our time, or whatever we have. Our gift may not make an impression on anyone else, but we can be sure it will be pleasing to him!

“Lord, help me to give without counting the cost!” (Meditation on Luke 21:1-4, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments Daniel 1 speaks about the conquest of Nebuchadnezzar when the noble families were brought to Babylon to be trained in the ways of the conquering Empire. They wanted to be kept kosher and to maintain their diet and after a test they are healthier. The Book of Daniel dates to the time of persecution by the Seleucid empire to encourage the people to keep kosher. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus declares the widow, a person of the anawim, as giving more than the rich. When Jesus comes, the anawim reach out to Him. Friar Jude urges us to recognize ourselves as anawim in brokeness and loneliness.

Fr. Mike Schmitz reflects on Stephen's heroic martyrdom and points out how those around him refused to hear him and hardened their hearts, something we too can do with the Word of God. In the book of Romans, Fr. Mike also highlights the importance of offering our bodies as a living sacrifice, responding to the call to love and to not be conformed to this world, and remembering that Christians have been grafted onto the tree of Israel. Today we read Acts 7, Romans 11-12, and Proverbs 27:13-14.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Womanist theologian Dr. Yolanda Pierce who considers the gratitude of the ten lepers Jesus heals in Luke 17:11–18. Pierce reflects on how she has been in the position of each character in the story.

I have been the broken one in need of healing, who fails to return to my moment of need and to remember after I have been healed. Full of energy and new life, I have forgotten to acknowledge the source of my strength and say thank you…. 

I have also been the one who has returned, throwing myself at the feet of those who have so richly blessed me. I have at times heeded my grandmother’s advice to “give others their flowers while they are still living.” Whether with real flowers or words of praise, I have at times remembered to return in gratitude to those teachers or neighbors or colleagues who have blessed my life even if they did not know it.  

But nothing has humbled me more than to be on the receiving end of someone’s gratitude. After a long season of pouring out pieces of my heart and soul, thinking no one understands or appreciates my efforts, I may receive a card or note or a visit with a word of thanks. Tears flood my eyes when this happens, because at that moment I truly understand the power of gratitude. The recipient has been blessed, and their expression of gratitude humbles and blesses the gift giver. (Rohr, n.d.)

We ponder the impact of Providence on our lives as we implore the Spirit to support our giving  as we respond to the generosity of others that has enriched our lives.

References

Daniel, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/1?1 

Daniel, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/daniel/3?52 

Luke, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 24, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/21?1 

Meditation on Luke 21:1-4. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved November 24, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/11/24/1434355/ 

Morse, E. (2025, November 24). Daily Reflection November 24, 2025 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved November 24, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-november-24-2025 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Do I Say Thanks? Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 24, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/do-i-say-thanks/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). She Put in All That She Had. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 24, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/