Jesus’ uplifting presence in the Gospels

by Shiu Lan
2018-04-15
Third Sunday of Easter

Acts 3:13-15, 17-19


1 John 2:1-5A


Luke 24:35-48


We can imagine that Jesus’ crucifixion must be very hard for His disciples, not only are they saddened by the death of a loved one, their hope for Jesus as the promised Messiah to redeem Israel is shattered. The events that follow are overwhelming too, on the third day, an empty tomb is found and a vision of angels who announce that He is alive is reported (cf. Luke 24:21-24).

Jesus understands the confusion, doubts and even disbelief in His disciples’ minds. In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, we hear that when Jesus appears to his disciples, He greets them warmly “Peace be with you” (Luke 24:36). He does not condemn them for their lack of faith, but wants to convince them that truly, He is risen from the dead. He invites them to look at his hands and feet, to touch him to prove that he is not a ghost “for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have” (Luke 24:39). He even eats a piece of fish in their presence. As a great teacher, he explains to them patiently that “everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled […] the Christ is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day” (Luke 24:44, 46).

Sometimes, we may also find ourselves confused and in doubt when our faith is challenged by authorities, politics, popular culture, values and beliefs of the day. We may be unable to stand firm as a defender of our Christian faith. We wish so much that Jesus can be with us, to be our mentor, to console, to encourage us and to be our beacon of light when we do not know which way to take. Have we ever imagined that He might have returned to our midst? It is just that we, like His disciples after Jesus’ Resurrection, are unable to recognize him at once. With the eyes of faith, we will be able to recognize Jesus’ presence in the people we encounter whom will empower us to remain hopeful when the situation seems hopeless in the eyes of the world, and to await in Christian joy as we endure the most difficult of circumstances personally, as a community or as a people.

Without fail, we can always find Jesus’ uplifting presence in the Gospels. With this Sunday’s Gospel Acclamation, let us call on Jesus to help us fortify our faith through the Scriptures:
“Lord Jesus, open the Scriptures to us: make our hearts burn with love when you speak. Alleluia” (See Luke 24:32).

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