THURSDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER

Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. 

Have you ever taken a difficult class and struggled to understand the subject? Maybe you had to get extra help from the teacher after class. Perhaps the teacher had to explain a hard concept more than once or find different ways to present it before understanding finally dawned on you.

Jesus is like that patient and sympathetic teacher. Today’s Gospel reading shows how his disciples needed extra help to understand his resurrection. Jesus didn’t expect them to get it right away, so he found more than one way to get his message across.

First, two angels appeared at Jesus’ empty tomb to announce that he had been raised from the dead. But when the other disciples heard the story, it seemed so farfetched that they didn’t believe it (Luke 24:1-11).

Then Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and spoke with them. He even taught them about the words in Scripture that point to his resurrection. And still these disciples didn’t recognize Jesus right away (Luke 24:13-34)!

That brings us to today’s story, when Jesus appears suddenly in the disciples’ midst. They are terrified! He immediately reassures them and even eats a piece of fish to show them that he is flesh and blood, not a ghost. He then opens their minds “to understand the Scriptures” so they can see that he has fulfilled all of God’s promises (Luke 24:45). Suddenly things are making sense.

We will never fully know or understand Jesus during our time on earth. But that doesn’t mean he wants to keep us in the dark. It may take time to grasp his love for you. You may need lots of nudges from his Spirit to get you going in the right direction. And that’s okay. Like any good teacher, Jesus builds on your understanding one step at a time. He may reach you through a homily or a Bible passage that speaks to a problem you’re having. Or maybe it’s through a relative or friend whose faith inspires you. He will always find ways to draw you closer so that you can enjoy a life of deeper joy and friendship with him.

“Thank you, Jesus, for being such a patient, loving teacher.”

Acts 3:11-26
Psalm 8:2, 5-9
Luke 24:35-48