THURSDAY APRIL 4, 2024
THURSDAY OF THE OCTAVE OF EASTER B
Acts 3:11-26
Luke 24:35-48
LOOKING AND LIVING BEYOND THE EXPERIENCE OF THE RISEN LORD
The reaction of the disciples to the rising of Christ are diverse and sometimes can be consuming and overwhelming. When Jesus appeared to the disciples in today’s gospel, they had mixed feelings and tend to subject this experience to critical analysis. And Jesus reading their minds and seeing through these reactions, went ahead to empirically prove that he has risen truly.
He tells them that he has flesh and bone which spirits do not have. He showed them the marks of his wounds and asked them to touch him. He eats before them the grilled fish. He commends them to faith in his risen experience. And he then commissions them to the task of being witnesses of this resurrection event.
What has the resurrection experience imputed in each one of us? What is our reaction to the mystery of the resurrection? Are we poised for greater action through the activation of our faith? Or are we disillusioned and confused by the very act of the resurrection?
Do we value the very act of Jesus’ resurrection? Does it make any meaning to us in this era? For the disciples, it brought them “disbelieved for joy, ” frightened and startled yet filled with happiness that could not be put in words. Their confidence in Jesus was beginning to be restored and their hope and joy too was restored. Yet they were still left dumbfounded and questioning what these all meant.
To the Jews who knew the man at the beautiful gate that got healed by the apostles of Jesus through the power of the resurrection of Christ, they were even more dumbfounded and Peter had to keep explaining to them how, why and of what consequences these happened. That it was Jesus whom they crucified and that has risen. And then they were charged to repent and believe in him. This is what we also see in the first reading.
The resurrection of Christ is received with different attitude but we must accept the fact that Jesus meant it for our salvation and we must try to follow by the necessary actions demanded by it which is being witnesses of this mystery.
Heavenly Father, by raising your Son Jesus Christ from the dead, you brought us joy and restored our life and union in you. May we be ardent witnesses of this mystery, by believing deeply in it, preaching it in our lives and living the truth of the gospel in all we do on earth. Bless us with greater faith in you, trust in your promises and zeal for your work through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
