“Spread
the Word”
The only post-resurrection encounters with
Jesus recorded in Luke’s gospel take place on Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday is a
busy day for Jesus. At dawn some of the woman came to the tomb to complete the
burial ritual that was interrupted by the Passover feast. They found the stone
rolled back and two men in dazzling white asked them, “Why are you looking for the living among the dead? He is not here; he
has been raised up.” So, they ran off, found Peter, and told him what they
had seen and heard. Peter did not believe them and had to go check it out for
himself. When he arrived at the tomb, he found it empty, just as the women had
said (LK 24:1-10).
Luke continues with the story of the
disciples on the road to Emmaus and while in route, they encounter a stranger
who is totally unaware of the happenings over the past several days, meaning
that Jesus had been put to death. This stranger calls these disciples to task
admonishing them on how little they learned from the Prophets and He begins to
relate to them all that scripture had to say about the Christ. He then reveals
His true identity to them when He breaks bread with them. Then he suddenly
disappears. LK 24:13-35
These disciples, their hearts on fire, rush
back to Jerusalem and meet with Peter and the others and tell them what had
just happened to them when, suddenly, Jesus comes into their presence. Jesus
shows them His wounds and asks for something to eat. They gave Him some fish and
again He reminds all there of what had been written about Him by the Prophets. He
then opens their minds so they
understand what was written about Him in the scriptures. He then instructs them
to be “witnesses of these things” (LK
24: 36-48)
Jesus and the disciples then head out on the
road that leads to Bethany and Jesus ascends into heaven (LK 24: 50-53).
Quite a day wouldn’t you say!!! And it’s all
in Chapter 24 of St. Luke’s Gospel. In each encounter that day, Jesus continues
to teach and feed His disciples with the Word of God and the Bread of Life. This
is the work that Jesus invites us to do – share with others the Good News
others have shared with us
During these next fifty days we have the
opportunity to reflect on the precious gift we have received as beneficiaries
of Jesus’ death and RESURRECTION. It would do us all some good to spend time
over these next week reflecting on how grateful we are for what we have
received and how good a job we are doing at spreading our joy at having
received this Good News to others.
And don’t forget to bask in the joys of this
Easter Season, for the gift of eternal life is quite a gift to ponder.
Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom
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