Easter Thursday – Acts 3:11-26; John 24:35-48

“‘Peace be with you! (. . .) Why are you so agitated, and why are these doubts rising in your hearts? Look at my hands and feet; yes, it is I indeed. Touch me and see for yourselves; a ghost has no flesh and bones as you can see I have.’ (. . .) So he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’”.

The Body of Christ

He Himself in a simple sign

They saw Him, they listened, they touched. And even watched as He ate. Especially this last one. Proof of resurrection? Yes, but also a sign of the normality of these new relationships between them. The Risen Christ who will soon ascend to heaven to be the Lord of heaven and earth, had not stopped being their friend. He does not disdain ordinary, human food . . .

Why can’t it be like this today? But to a large extent it is! Jesus is continuously close. He has left Himself in the simple sign of the Eucharistic Bread. Celebrating this feast of meeting the Risen One we hear at the same time the words of Peter:

“Now you must repent and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, and so that the Lord may send the time of comfort. Then he will send you the Christ he has predestined, that is Jesus, whom heaven must keep till the universal restoration comes which God proclaimed, speaking through his holy prophets”.

In the midst of my fears and anxieties my heart calls for the gift of Your peace. Risen Lord, embrace my heart to Your holy wounds, so that the power flowing from them will become mine also.