Gospel: Luke 24:36b-48
36 While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ 37 They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 He said to them, ‘Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ 40And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate in their presence.
44 Then 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, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.
Reconfirmed Faith, Mission Follows!
This Sunday's Gospel finds us in the week of the Resurrection. Through many apparitions, the Risen Christ is confirming his disciples’ faith. When the disciples are together discussing the events of that week, Jesus stands in their midst and offers them His Peace. They are still afraid and suspicious, even in His presence. Is He the One they knew before the passion, a ghost, or phantasm adding more confusion to their conflicting discussions?Aware of their doubts, but willing to bring them certainty of faith and internal peace, He asks them to offer Him something to eat. It is amazing to see His risen body, with the stigma in His hands, feet and side, eating! This is beyond human understanding. Could a spiritual body eat?
The Church Fathers explain this as the way for Jesus to show the disciples that He is the same Jesus they knew in Galilee and, at the same time, the eternal Christ after His Resurrection. This is the only time it is explicitly mentioned the He ate food after He defeated death on His Cross. A doctrinal meditation is needed here and, with His help to understand scriptures, we may say, “The mystery of faith! True God and True Man."
Once reconfirmed in their faith, He opens their minds to understand Scriptures. Not to read or only listen, but to go more in depth, to understand! They will be commissioned to go "teach and preach.” How could they excel in this mission without understanding correctly first? Their teaching will be the seeds of faith for the faithful all over the world. Followers will grow rooted in the faith of the apostles and be fed by their teaching. This is why we proclaim the faith of the Apostolic Church and the reason to be grateful for this Church to which we belong!
Then they wait for the Holy Spirit, who will inspire and lead the Church throughout the near and far future. Sent by the Spirit and in His Name, they have two assignments to proclaim, Repentance and Remission of Sins among all nations. Repentance to love, to faithfulness to the promises of our baptism, to the breaking of the bread, to charity and to witness. According to the promise of the Father, you will be empowered by the Holy Spirit! Again the Gospel ends with the Presence of the Holy Trinity in our lives, just as in the Beginning at the Annunciation, and when Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River. The One True God we worship every day is with us!
Take some time to reflect upon your faith. Trust in the divine and human Christ. Ask for the grace to understand scriptures. Be sure that He is present and ready to listen when we use our password to chat with him. We know that password is prayer, then we can dialogue with Him!
We are invited to reject all fear because He is Present and will remain forever. Blessed are those who have a daily meeting with Him through the reading of scriptures and through prayers. Blessed are those who witness to our Apostolic Faith through a loving Charity. Amen!
Father Kamal - April 18, 2021