Reading
Luke 24:35-48
35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.
Comment
The disciples of Emmaus and the apostles are bringing to each other the testimony of the encounter with the risen Jesus, but when he suddenly appears among them they are surprised and frightened, thinking they see a ghost.
"Peace be with you!" (v. 36) are the words with which Jesus greets the disciples, to dispel their doubts, their fears, to forgive their weakness, which made them flee in the hour of his passion. In describing Jesus showing the nail marks on his hands and feet and in the act of eating the fish, Luke emphasizes the bodily character of the Risen One, although he shows that he has a body capable of passing through a closed door or appearing simultaneously in two different places (while Jesus was talking with the disciples of Emmaus he also appeared to Simon in Jerusalem).
Despite these trials, the disciples are still in disbelief until Jesus supernaturally opens their minds to understand the truth hidden in the Scriptures. The law, the prophets, and the Psalms indicate the three parts into which the Hebrew Bible is traditionally divided. "Psalms" can indicate the whole third part, i.e. the "Writings" (including Job, Proverbs, Daniel) or only the Psalms. The full understanding of the Scriptures takes place through faith, with which is possible to experiment with the encounter with the Risen One. Only in this way will we be able to hear behind those pages the voice of Jesus who exclaims "It is I myself!" (v. 39).
The preaching to all peoples of conversion and the forgiveness of sins (v. 47) corresponds to the great mandate: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Mt 28,19-20) and "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation"(Mk 16:15). Preaching is therefore a proclamation of salvation, but also an exhortation to conversion. Jesus not only forgives our sins but invites us to renew ourselves interiorly to become an image of his glory.
Preaching is first of all to witness within ourselves the capacity of the gospel to transfigure our existence. When we speak with conviction of Jesus, he will come among us, to make us touch his presence. Preaching will then not be proselytism but the narration of our love relationship with God, capable of inflaming the heart of those who listen to us, of those who see our life transformed by the encounter with Christ.
Prayer
Give us your peace, Lord, so that fear is dispelled by love and our lives can bear witness to the transforming power of meeting you. Amen.
- Rev. Dr. Luca Vona
