While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood in their midst. (He said to
them, “Peace to you.”) In their panic and fright they thought they were seeing a ghost,
but he said to them, “Why are you upset, and how does such an idea cross your minds?
Look at my hands and feet, and see that it is I myself! Touch me, and see for yourselves,
for a ghost has no flesh and bones as I have!” (As he said this, he showed his hands and
feet.) Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, as they were astonished;
so he said to them, “Have you anything to eat?” And they gave him a piece of broiled fish.
He took it, and ate it before them. Then Jesus said to them, “Remember the words I spoke
to you when I was still with you: Everything written about me in the Law of Moses, in the
Prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand
the Scriptures. And he said, “So it was written: the Messiah had to suffer, and on the third
day rise from the dead. Then repentance and forgiveness in his name would be proclaimed
to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.

READ: The two disciples who encountered the risen Christ on their way to Emmaus joined
the other disciples. Jesus appeared in their midst. The disciples were afraid and thought they
were seeing a ghost. Jesus showed them his hands and feet, explaining that a ghost does not
have flesh and bones. The disciples were overjoyed yet could not fully believe due to their
astonishment. Jesus asked for something to eat. They gave him a piece of broiled fish. He ate
it before their very eyes. Then Jesus reminded them of what he told them about the Messiah,
the preaching of repentance and of the witnessing by the disciples.

REFLECT: Jesus glorified body has flesh and bones. This conveys that the reality of the
resurrection is far more than what we can imagine. What appears very interesting in today’s
Gospel is that it narrates that the risen Christ ate a piece of broiled fish. This entails that
Jesus’ glorified body was nourished by a piece of broiled fish. A more profound implication
is that the gift of the natural world will be part of the world to come. It is worth reflecting that
creation is included in God’s salvific plan and act. There is more in the reality of the resurrection
than just seeing a ghost. We believe that we shall have glorified bodies in a
whole new world.

PRAY: Let us pray for the ecological conversion of everyone.

ACT: Let us do one concrete action for the care of our common home.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2024