Today's Gospel Reading Luke 24:35-48The Emmaus disciples, fresh from their astounding experience with the risen Christ, returned to tell the others. They found the others talking about the appearance of Jesus to Peter. At that time Jesus appears to them again. He realizes that there continue to be doubts about him in their minds and hearts. Just inviting them to touch his body to assure them that he was not a ghost was not sufficient. He asks them to have a meal with him. He wanted to bring back to their minds his "table fellowship" with them.
He does this to convince them that was has indeed been victorious over death. He has returned from among the dead. It is St. Luke's words that tell us how he did this in a way not unlike his Emmaus hotel meal with Cleopas and another disciple: "... he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures." In particular Jesus explains to them that it was already written that he "would suffer and then rise from the dead." But even more was prophesied: that repentance ... would be preached in his name to all the nations."
In the very next verse of Luke's gospel, not included in today assigned reading, Jesus tells them, "And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised." And what was that? The Holy Spirit would empower them to preach the word "to all the nations."
When Jesus asked to have a meal with them, he was affirming for them that their sins were forgiven, especially St. Peter's denial of Jesus while standing at a brazier during his trial. See the connection? Here is wants them to know that sin has been forgiven by his death and that the promise that he would give his body for them is renewed.
Jesus promises this to us each day. Because we have sinned and are weighed down by our sinful pasts, he gives himself to us each day in the Eucharistic meal: "This is the body of Christ."
He does this to convince them that was has indeed been victorious over death. He has returned from among the dead. It is St. Luke's words that tell us how he did this in a way not unlike his Emmaus hotel meal with Cleopas and another disciple: "... he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures." In particular Jesus explains to them that it was already written that he "would suffer and then rise from the dead." But even more was prophesied: that repentance ... would be preached in his name to all the nations."
In the very next verse of Luke's gospel, not included in today assigned reading, Jesus tells them, "And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised." And what was that? The Holy Spirit would empower them to preach the word "to all the nations."
When Jesus asked to have a meal with them, he was affirming for them that their sins were forgiven, especially St. Peter's denial of Jesus while standing at a brazier during his trial. See the connection? Here is wants them to know that sin has been forgiven by his death and that the promise that he would give his body for them is renewed.
Jesus promises this to us each day. Because we have sinned and are weighed down by our sinful pasts, he gives himself to us each day in the Eucharistic meal: "This is the body of Christ."
