Today's Reflections
The Appearance to the Disciples in Jerusalem
35The two [disciples] recounted what had taken place on the way and how [Jesus] was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
36While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? 39Look 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.” 40And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of baked fish; 43he took it and ate it in front of them.
44He 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.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. 46And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day 47and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things.”
Reflection:
Have you anything here to eat? The disciples remain incredulous even after the risen Jesus shows them his hands and his feet, so he asks for something to eat. Jesus opens their minds to understand what the scriptures say about his suffering, death, and resurrection. He declares them as his witnesses who will call people to repent and accept God’s forgiveness.
At the eucharistic celebration, as friends of Jesus, we gather around the Lord’s table. We share the meal where we clearly experience the presence of the risen Lord who draws us together as community and draws us closer to God. The risen Jesus nourishes us with the words of scripture and with his body and blood. We are fed to overflowing; our eyes are opened and we begin to understand how we are sent to call people to repent and accept God’s forgiveness.
The Eucharist is a foretaste for us of the ultimate messianic banquet in heaven. Until then, as Body of Christ, we witness to the Lord’s presence by proclaiming the word and sharing the meal. We are to be the body of Christ broken for the world, responding to the varied hungers and thirsts of the human race.
What does it mean for youto be part of the body of Christ?
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