Gospel: Luke 24:35-48
Then the two told what had happened on the road to Emmaus, and how Jesus had made himself known, when he broke bread with them.While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood in their midst. (He said to them, “Peace to you.”) In their panic and fright they thought they were seeing a ghost, but he said to them, “Why are you upset, and how does such an idea cross your minds? Look at my hands and feet, and see that it is I myself! Touch me, and see for yourselves, for a ghost has no flesh and bones as I have!” (As he said this, he showed his hands and feet.)Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, as they were astonished; so he said to them, “Have you anything to eat?” And they gave him a piece of

broiled fish. He took it, and ate it before them.Then Jesus said to them, “Remember the words I spoke to you when I was still with you: Everything written about me in the law of Moses, in the prophets and in the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.And he said, “So it was written: the Messiah had to suffer, and on the third day rise from the dead. Then repentance and forgiveness in his name would be proclaimed to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.

Reflections

“Touch me, and see for yourselves.”Jesus appears to the apostles and disciples in Jerusalem as the two disciples going to Emmaus recount their experience with the Risen Lord along the way.The topic is how Jesus is made known to them. In their minds before, he is finished. He is dead. Yet he continues appearing to them. How can they change their mental set so quickly, including their emotional disposition? They have not finished mourning yet and here he comes appearing just like that like a ghost.In his appearance this time, the group mistakes him for a ghost. Though they are excited because of the surprise, they cannot process in their minds what is going on.Jesus presents his resurrected body. He asks them to touch him. In front of them is the real Jesus. He asks for food and he eats. So what is still the problem?Jesus explains the scriptures to open their minds. Scriptures are still needed to understand all that has happened to Jesus. Once they understand and believe, they are bound to proclaim repentance and forgiveness and to give witness to him all over the known world. They will start in Jerusalem while they are still euphoric.
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