Another Sighting
theophilus March 27th, 2008
On Tuesday, it was Mary Magdalene, yesterday it was the guys on the road to Emmaus – today, Jesus appears to the apostles.
And they doubt what they are seeing. They have to look at his hands and feet – watch him take a bite out of some fish – and then they believe.
In this appearance, Christ says some things that should resonate with us today.
He says hello to the apostles by offering, “Peace be with you.” And aren’t we all yearning and searching for this peace?
He asks them, “why are you troubled” and “why do questions arise in your hearts?” And do we not find ourselves troubled too often of the time and aren’t we sometimes smothered with the questions in our hearts – some unasked, all unanswered?
He then “opened their minds to understand the scriptures.” And it’s this opening that Christ so lovingly wants for us – to understand him – to understand our faith – to understand each other – yes, to even understand our wives and children.
It’s amazing how much Christ gave the apostles in such a short visit. Just imagine what he can give us if we just listen to him and follow him.
One apostle that was definitely listening and following Jesus at this point was St. Peter. In today’s first reading (Acts 3), Peter is once again giving it to the folks in Jerusalem. He’s not mincing words – he’s stirring things up.
This is the same Peter who acted the part of the coward in denying Christ and running away from him. Now, he is fearless and on the attack. He is a real man couragously taking the reins of leadership given to him by Christ.
We have much to learn from Peter before the Passion – we have even more to learn from him in its aftermath. Peter found himself – found his purpose – found Christ’s path for him. And he didn’t disappoint. He didn’t allow the sheer impossibility and danger of his mission to overwhelm him. He just got the job done.
Let us believe unquestionably in Christ. Let us follow him so selflessly and with such fearless fidelity that we too can achieve the impossible. The ability to do great things is in each of us – if we just believe in Christ’s plan for us. And if we are doing what is expected of us, we will find our peace - answers will be given to us - and our minds will be truly opened.
It’s just up to us to believe and follow.
- Faith , God's Call , Jesus , Liturgy , Saints
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