A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

And Jesus said to the disciples, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, or the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”

In today’s Gospel, continuing from yesterday’s reading, Jesus appears to the disciples in the room where they had gathered and greets them with “Peace be with you,” showing them his hands and feet to prove that he is not a ghost. By eating a piece of baked fish in their presence, Jesus further shows them that he is truly present to them in both body and soul. Jesus tells them that everything that had happened to him had been prophesied in the Scriptures and that he had to suffer and die in order to rise from the dead and bring salvation to all people. He also tells them that they are witnesses of these things, and that they are to go out and proclaim the good news of his resurrection to all nations. Jesus gives them confidence by telling them that they are witnesses to the resurrection of the Son of God. Later, in the Acts of the Apostles, Peter himself says to people that they were witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection.

God, help me trust in your Son; increase my faith so that I understand that he always seeks to give me confidence in him and in your word. At table with the disciples in Emmaus, Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. In his appearance to the other disciples, Jesus strengthens their faith, first by addressing their fears and uncertainty and then by telling them that they themselves witnessed the fulfillment of the scriptures through his dying and rising. In the same way, Jesus comes to me through the reassurance of the scriptures and the sacraments, bringing with him the true peace of his presence.

Be with me today, Lord, as I strive to remember you and put aside the desire for things that are not of you and that fail to lead to you. This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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