Thursday in the Octave of Easter
In today’s gospel, the story continues after the two disciples encountered the risen Christ on the road to Emmaus. When the two disciples saw the risen Lord, they could not contain their wonder and awe and they returned to Jerusalem to tell the others what they had seen. The other disciples were gathered in the upper room trying to make sense of what was happening in their lives. In that moment, Jesus became present among them and wished them peace. The disciples were terrified thinking that he was a ghost. Even though Jesus let them touch him, they still did not recognize him until after he ate a meal and spoke the words that helped them to understand the fulfillment of the prophecies of old—that Jesus had to suffer and die, but would rise from the dead.
As we continue our Easter journey, let us think of the ways Jesus appears to us in our daily lives in the people around us. When we hear his voice, do we open our heart to him or are we afraid? In the moments of our weakness, we can offer in prayer these words from Pope Francis, “May the Lord open our minds and make us understand that he is a living reality, that he has a body, that he is with us and that he accompanies us, that he has conquered. Let us ask the Lord for the grace not to be afraid of joy.” Also, when we participate in the Eucharistic meal we meet the crucified and risen Lord just as the disciples did. We receive God’s grace and are reminded that he never deserts us. We are filled with his love and presence, and receive the gift of peace.
This week, let us not take for granted the words we pray during Mass from the Nicene Creed, “For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.” Let us place ourselves in the company of those who first heard these words in the upper room and go out and spread the good news by our words and actions. It is by our Christian witness that this message of our faith comes alive, and it is Jesus who walks with us when we serve others.
-Jessica Gabrielli