The WORD in Other Words by Fr Dionisio Nellas SVD (Ghana, Africa)
Thursday in the Octave of Easter
During Harmattan (dry season) in Ghana, savannah grass lands become a plain of ashes due to bush fires. Amazingly, though, during the first rain fall savannah grass begins to show again its fresh green blades of new life. A sense of “resurrection.”
Our own resurrection is assured through our active faith in Jesus Christ who suffered, died on the cross and rose again.
In this moment of intense fear, the disciples badly needed the peace of Jesus: “Peace be with you” (Lk. 24:36) – the peace that the world cannot give (cf. Jn. 14:27) and his assurance that he was really their spiritual Messiah who suffered, died on the cross and rose again – not a ghost: “Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” (Lk. 24: 39).
Having been assured and experienced the unconditional love of Jesus, they were grateful and passionate in following his mandate: “… the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day rose again and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” (Lk. 24: 46-48).
From that time on, the seemingly dead disciples – hiding in the dark room – “resurrected” into the light of the risen Lord and became courageous witnesses in proclaiming the good news.
Like savannah grass, we rise to a new life because of our faith in Christ who loves us unconditionally. With grateful heart and joyful spirit, like the disciples, we proclaim Jesus Christ is Risen! Alelluia!–
– Fr. Dionisio Nellas, SVD (Krobo, Ghana)
Source – The WORD in Other Words, Bible Diary 2020
Éditions Verbum Bible 
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