Gospel: April 24, 2025
April 24, 2025 (Thursday)
Octave of Easter, Thursday
Psalter: Proper / (White)
Ps 8:2ab & 5, 6-7, 8-9
O Lord, our God, how wonderful your name in all the earth.
1st Reading: Acts 3:11-26
Gospel: Luke 24:35-48
Then the two told what had happened on the road to Emmaus, and how Jesus had made himself known, when he broke bread with them. While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood in their midst. (He said to them, “Peace to you.”) In their panic and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost, but he said to them, “Why are you upset, and how does such an idea cross your minds? Look at my hands and feet, and see that it is I myself! Touch me, and see for yourselves, for a ghost has no flesh and bones as I have!” (As he said this, he showed his hands and feet.)
Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, as they were astonished; so he said to them, “Have you anything to eat?” And they gave him a piece of broiled fish. He took it, and ate it before them. Then Jesus said to them, “Remember the words I spoke to you when I was still with you: Everything written about me in the law of Moses, in the prophets and in the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said, “So it was written: The Messiah had to suffer, and on the third day rise from the dead. Then repentance and forgiveness in his name would be proclaimed to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.
Reflection:
“Peace to you”
“Peace to you,” says Jesus. Shalom, all is well. Shalom does not only mean peace as quiet, but as harmony, wholeness and well-being. And so, Christ reassures his disciples that all is well. He is our peace (Eph 2:13-14), our healing, our salvation. Before his death, Christ promised to give his peace to his disciples, a peace the world cannot give (Jn 14:27), telling them not to be afraid.
Now he stands in their midst, risen from the tomb, giving that same peace. This starts to persuade them that this is the same Jesus who has died and risen, and that they are not to be afraid, but only trust in him. Yet, the disciples still need further reassurance.
They touch him and watch him eat to dispel any thoughts that they are dreaming or seeing a ghost. In our own life of faith, we have periods of doubt or uncertainty, and we need reassurance. This comes through the witness of others, and through our experiences of peace that can come only from the Lord, whether in prayer or in life vents. We can then strengthen others through our own witness to Jesus’ peace and presence in our lives.
