‘The Lord has risen indeed and has appeared to Simon!’ (Lk 24: 34)
‘When he was at table with them, he took the bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them and their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.‘ (Lk 24: 30-32)
Introduction
The readings are very interesting and inspiring. They are bold testimonies of the resurrection and the Eucharist. The scriptural texts of Luke 24:34; and Luke 24:30-32 attest to that.
In the first reading, Peter and John, in giving what they have in the name of the risen Lord and power of the Holy Spirit, performed the miracle of the physical healing of a cripped man to the amazement of all at the beautiful gate of the temple. The Lord made a name for himself through his apostles. The power of the risen Lord and the Holy Spirit were very evidential in the lives of the disciples and believers. The gospel summed up eyewitness account of the resurrection and the Eucharist amidst followers of Christ at the time.
The Empty Tomb
The resurrection of Jesus was a breaking news all over the media, on the first day of the week that the Lord has indeed risen. The women who went early in the morning to look for him at the graveyard met an empty tomb. The body of Christ was no longer there. Instead, they found all the cloths that were used on him properly folded and arranged in a corner and the angel who announced to them that the Lord has risen. He queried them for looking for the living among the dead.
The news was very encouraging, and the women hurried back to inform the apostles but were met on their way by the risen Lord. He also appeared to Simon himself, the leader of the apostle. He appeared too to Cleopas and one other of his disciples on their way to Emmaus. The disciples lacked no evidence of his resurrection as they shared the joy everywhere. The media at the time and even now were aflame as Christ had broken the world record. It was unheard of and would never happen again except its remembrance and celebration each year as we do at Easter.
The Real Presence of Christ
Another testimony in the gospel today is that of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Christ having hidden himself from his disciples accompanied them on their journey towards Emmaus. He listened to them as they shared their worries and frustrations. He then encouraged them with the words of the Sacred Scripture as we always do at Mass. Their hearts burned within them as they listened to him. He inspired them to understand the words of the Scripture. And to show them his presence, he followed them home, and to the table where they recognized him at the breaking of the bread. They witnessed his Real Presence before he vanished from their sight. No wonder the Eucharist is the source and summit of all the Church teaches and does.
Christ has his hidden physical presence in the Eucharist for a purpose and for good. We see him with the eye of faith. He is always present with us as he had promised and even more in the Eucharist. He accompanies us everywhere as he accompanied his disciples to Emmaus. He knows where we are at every moment. He is not physically present but spiritually in our midst. Nevertheless, the Church teaches that Christ is truly and really present in the Eucharist as witnessed by the disciples. We would always behold him at the breaking of the bread with the eye of faith. Hence, the adoration of Christ in the Eucharist is a very important devotion to the Church and members.
Conclusion
The readings address the central teachings of the Church on resurrection and Eucharist. It addresses that with some scriptural evidence of the Lord’s resurrection and, of course, the eyewitness account of the Eucharist with his disciples. Both scenarios are great encouragement to our faith as we keep reflecting upon them. May the power of the risen Lord be with us, and may we continue to encounter him daily at the table of the Eucharist at Mass.
Peace be with you!
Peace be with you!
