Beloved in Christ,
"You are witnesses of these things" (Luke 24: 48). This Sunday, we hear again about the appearance of the Risen Christ to his disciples. The resurrection of Jesus is a pivotal and life-changing event in Christianity that warrants its celebration for the fifty days of Eastertide. This past week, on Monday, the sun's total eclipse had an impression on the entire country. Many of us looked at the sky to witness this tremendous celestial event. It impacted our lives, and many bore witness to what they saw on social media. The appearance of Jesus is a billion times more impactful on our world and life and demands our witness.
The disciples on the way to Emmaus bore witness to the risen Christ who made his resurrection known to them in the breaking of the bread and the Scripture. He made himself known to the disciples and showed them he was not a ghost but a bodily person. He showed them his hands and feet as evidence that he is flesh and blood, not a phantom figure. He even ate a piece of baked fish they had prepared. In addition, Jesus opened their minds to understand from the Scripture that he is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. Jesus revealed enough of his resurrected body to his disciples to empower them to bear witness to the power of the resurrection, the forgiveness of sin, and grace-filled life in union with him.
The resurrection of Jesus is a life-transforming event the disciples bore witness to, as we read from the first reading, Acts 3. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Scripture about the suffering Messiah who will be put to death but whom God raised from the dead: "Of this we are witnesses," Peter says. We are witnesses to the crucified and risen Christ in our own lives. We have experienced victories over the darkness of sin. Jesus has been our joy and peace. In many ways, we are not depressed or hopeless at the reality of death. The resurrection of Jesus is life-changing. Do we believe this truth and share that faith with others? We are witnesses to this sacred event, and we must let others know about it.
In the Risen Christ,
Fr. Alayode Bernard, OP
"You are witnesses of these things" (Luke 24: 48). This Sunday, we hear again about the appearance of the Risen Christ to his disciples. The resurrection of Jesus is a pivotal and life-changing event in Christianity that warrants its celebration for the fifty days of Eastertide. This past week, on Monday, the sun's total eclipse had an impression on the entire country. Many of us looked at the sky to witness this tremendous celestial event. It impacted our lives, and many bore witness to what they saw on social media. The appearance of Jesus is a billion times more impactful on our world and life and demands our witness.
The disciples on the way to Emmaus bore witness to the risen Christ who made his resurrection known to them in the breaking of the bread and the Scripture. He made himself known to the disciples and showed them he was not a ghost but a bodily person. He showed them his hands and feet as evidence that he is flesh and blood, not a phantom figure. He even ate a piece of baked fish they had prepared. In addition, Jesus opened their minds to understand from the Scripture that he is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. Jesus revealed enough of his resurrected body to his disciples to empower them to bear witness to the power of the resurrection, the forgiveness of sin, and grace-filled life in union with him.
The resurrection of Jesus is a life-transforming event the disciples bore witness to, as we read from the first reading, Acts 3. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Scripture about the suffering Messiah who will be put to death but whom God raised from the dead: "Of this we are witnesses," Peter says. We are witnesses to the crucified and risen Christ in our own lives. We have experienced victories over the darkness of sin. Jesus has been our joy and peace. In many ways, we are not depressed or hopeless at the reality of death. The resurrection of Jesus is life-changing. Do we believe this truth and share that faith with others? We are witnesses to this sacred event, and we must let others know about it.
In the Risen Christ,
Fr. Alayode Bernard, OP
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