April 9. Thursday of Easter week.  SEE.    Bryan seeing himself as a budding forensic pathologist wondered, “I am fascinated by Jesus and his resurrected body. How could he not be a spirit but appear and disappear at will?   It must really have been very hard for the disciples to believe.  Touching something does make it far more real, even like sometimes when I feel I want to be loved. I suppose once you have crossed the barrier of faith you can also take seriously what Jesus said.”  

JUDGE. Scripture:  Jesus said to them, ”Why are you troubled?  See my hands and my feet that it is I myself. Touch me and see, for a spirit has no flesh and bones as I have.  Luke 24:35-48.  Pope Francis. Against a backdrop of love so central to the Christian experience of marriage and the family the virtue of tenderness stands out.  In biblical texts we see a delicate and tender intimacy between mother and child, a babe sleeping in his mother’s arms after being nursed.  AL 28. Pope Leo: The Christian tradition of visiting the sick, washing their wounds, and comforting the afflicted is not simply a philanthropic endeavour, but an ecclesial action in which the members of the Church touch the suffering flesh of Christ.  DT 48. Reflect, share, pray, act. Whose wounds can you touch today and think of Jesus’ wounds as St Francis did. Remember the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday 2025. Pope Leo invites us to prayer vigil for peace on 11 April. Who can you invite to join with? . 

A DAILY FAMILY PRAYER
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, blessed Trinity,
you have shown us how to love to be God’s Family.
We’re sorry for the things we’ve done to cause another pain,
make us willing to forgive and so be whole again.
Bless our family today, keep us in your care,
old and young or sick or healthy, those no longer there.
Help us care for all the earth and all the things God made
His people, animals and plants, for them all Jesus paid.
We thank and praise you. God on high and ask your blessings too
so we can love, and care and share and make God’s dream come true. Amen