The Appearance to the Disciples in Jerusalem
Lk 24:35-48
35The two [disciples] recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
36While they were still speaking about this, [Jesus] 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.”
They were still speaking about this. The two disciples have a story to tell about the risen Jesus. The other disciples have theirs. As they are sharing the good news, Jesus appears before them. It seems that the very act of proclaiming the Gospel evokes the presence of Jesus—the Gospel (good news) himself. Jesus proves his words true that whenever and wherever two or more are gathered in his name, he is with them right there and then.
The good news, however, is not only a story to be told. It is also an amazing event that continues to unfold and to be effective in the lives of believers—healing them of their illnesses while also amazing and converting unbelievers. As the First Reading tells us: “As he [the crippled man who had been cured] clung to Peter and John, all the people hurried in amazement toward them” (Acts 3:11).
“Repent, therefore, and be converted,
that your sins may be wiped away,
and that the Lord may grant you times
of refreshment…” (Acts 3:19-20).
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