Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
Scary stories will tell us that ghosts often come back to haunt us. Is it any wonder, then, that the disciples were “startled and terrified” when Jesus came to them? As Luke recounts it, “(They) thought they were seeing a ghost.” Peter says it well in the speech recorded in the Acts of Apostles, “The author of life you put to death.” Who wouldn’t be afraid of seeing Jesus return from the dead, not yet knowing what his intentions were?
Jesus puts them at ease. After saying “Peace be with you,” he also asks, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?”
For sure, Jesus reminds them of what he has been through. He showed them his hands and his side. But by asking them whether they had anything to eat and by consuming a piece of fish right in front of them, Jesus is letting them know he is not a ghost. He is the Lord in the flesh, but in a new and glorified way. He was not there to harm them, but to redeem them.
When we eat the Body and drink the Blood of the Lord, we are also taking this new and glorified flesh of Jesus into our own life. He is not a ghost, but a “Real Presence” among us.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus opened the minds of the disciples to understand that he had come to fulfill the prophecy of the Old Testament. He came to suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, so that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name.
Finally, Jesus said, “You are witnesses of these things.” And so are we.
We, as the Church, keep the collective memory of the Gospel alive. Jesus died because of our sins. But Jesus also died to forgive our sins. And if we believe and repent, we will have life forever because of him. His resurrection foreshadows our own.
We must not let this story end with us. We must tell it and tell it again. With the life of Jesus (not a ghost) within us —we are asked to take his “Real Presence” with us into the world around us.
Have a blessed week everyone.