April 14, 2024: Third Sunday of Easter

Gospel: Luke 24: 35-48

The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way, and how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of bread.

While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? 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.” And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.

He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day 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.”

Reflection

Three things strike me about this Gospel. First, Jesus’ opening words in his post-resurrection appearances are always, “Peace be with you.” I suppose that’s the perfect thing to say to anyone who is convinced they are seeing a dead person.

But I’m willing to bet it has a bit to do with the disciples in particular: When last Jesus saw them, they were not at their best. Some were denying him. Some scattered altogether. They’ve got to be feeling uncomfortable. But Jesus eases the past away by granting them peace. What an example that is for defusing tension in our own lives!

Second, Jesus has to expend a good deal of energy proving he’s not a ghost. See, he has skin and bones. See, he eats! While this might strike me as inordinate, I need to remember that the concept of a person rising from the dead is familiar to me. But it had never been done before. The apostles were the first to witness such a thing. Of course they’re confused!

Lastly, Jesus tells the disciples that they are “witnesses of these things.” By extension, so am I. So are you. Maybe our minds haven’t been opened to understand the Scriptures, the way the disciples’ were (and as I write these reflections — how I wish I did understand!), but we do know Jesus. We know what he stands for. What he cares about. It is our job to bring that sight to a world with blurry (at best) vision.

Action

Look for opportunities to bring peace, whether in conversation or in everyday dealings with others. Employ silence or — if you’ve got a gift for it — humor to deescalate tensions. Or just change the subject!