Third Sunday of Easter

Luke 24:36b-48

Rev. Neli Miranda

On the first two Sundays of Easter, we read the accounts of Jesus’ resurrection recorded by the Johannine tradition, which tells us that it was Mary Magdalene the first disciple to see the risen Jesus and the first to be sent to proclaim the great news of Jesus’ resurrection to the first community of disciples. This is why she is recognized as the apostle of apostles in Christian tradition. According to this account, none of the disciples reacts to Mary Magdalene’s good news, no one goes out looking for the risen Jesus; rather, we read that when it was evening, they are locked down for fear of the Jewish authorities. So, it is Jesus who comes among the fearful community and greets them saying, “Peace be with you!”  We continue to read about the crisis that came to the first community of disciples after Jesus’ execution. Certainly no one had understood what Jesus had foretold about his resurrection until he comes among them and shows his wounds which are not only signs of suffering but also signs of hope and life.

In Luke’s Gospel we read that after Jesus’ crucifixion and his burial, the disciples are scattered, confused, and fearful. It is the women disciples who defy this critical moment and go to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body for his final burial. In defying death, they find life, for they are the first to receive the good news of the risen Jesus. When they return from the tomb, they announce the good news of Jesus’ resurrections to the “eleven apostles” and other disciples there with them. However, they do not believe the women’s testimony; it seemed to them an idle tale!

Just after this moment, Luke takes us to the road to Emmaus where two disciples encounter Jesus on the road. They are Clopas and his companion, who is most likely his wife. Although they have already heard the good news from the women, they flee Jerusalem and return hopelessly to Emmaus, their home. While they walk in Jesus’ company, they do not recognize him but can feel their hearts burning within. Finally, when they arrive home and share bread with Jesus, their eyes are opened and recognize him. It took seven miles and a shared table for these disciples to recognize the risen Jesus!

After this glorious moment, the two disciples decide to return to Jerusalem where the eleven apostles and other disciples are gathered, locked in their pain, confusion, disbelief, and fear. Throughout the day their fear has prevented them from an encounter with the Risen Jesus.  However, the good news of life reaches them.

While the two disciples coming from Emmanus share the good news with the disciples in Jerusalem, “Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, Peace be with you.”  The Risen Jesus has come to them, but they remain locked in confusion and fear. Luke testifies that “They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost.”  Then, like in John’s account, Jesus shows them his wounds, “Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”  While the disciples are still incredulous, Jesus eats in their presence to prove he is not a ghost but the Risen One. It has taken this community the whole day to finally encounter the Risen Jesus.  How long will it take us to encounter the Risen Jesus?

Do we need to see Jesus’ wounds to believe? Where can we see Jesus’ wounds today? Do you know people who overcome pain and suffering every day? Do you know people who, despite experiencing suffering, offer you words of love and hope? There you can see Jesus’ wounds speaking to you about life, about the good news of the resurrection!

Dear sisters and brothers, as we walk and experience the path of Easter, we learn that sometimes it takes a while for us to hear and understand the good news of Easter and encounter the Risen Jesus. The Easter path is a process where we may experience confusion, disbelief, and fear, but this path always leads us to the encounter with the risen Jesus who joyfully greets us saying, “Peace be with you!”

May we encounter the Risen Jesus every day! Peace be with you!

Amen.