The disciples were having dinner together when they saw a phenomenon that was
hard for them to comprehend. Jesus appeared and they were frightened. Jesus
calmly said, “Peace
be with you.” The disciples surely wondered if they had some sort of
hallucination as they knew Jesus had been resurrected. Jesus knew they had
doubts and he said, “Why are you frightened, and why do
doubts arise in your hearts?" “Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself.”
Jesus then showed them his hands and feet. The Gospel last week shows us that Jesus had appeared before and it is amazing that in such a short period of time the disciples would loose sight that Jesus had truly resurrected. It is often said that seeing is believing but imagine when the seeing frightens you. Jesus didn’t scorn the disciples for not believing he simply wanted to make sure they weren’t frightened.
Jesus went on to say,
“Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” After Jesus had calmed them down he showed them his hands and feet. The disciples were joyful as they loved Jesus, not only as Lord and Savior, but also as friend (part of their family). Jesus knew that people would think ghosts couldn’t eat so he said, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish and he took it and ate it in their presence.
The risen Lord said to them,
“These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you -- that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” He opened their minds to understand the scripture. He then said, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”
Is it only when we come to church that we remember that Jesus is alive and well? Do we act like the risen Lord can still perform miracles, or be everything we need? As Episcopalians we hold central the belief that when we partake in the Eucharistic feast every Sunday that Jesus is truly present. We know this to be a Holy Mystery. It is a deep mystery to consider we deserve something such as grace which is freely granted to us. Whether that grace is given when we need a helping hand, or when we, or a loved one is ill. Or, whether we obtain the same grace we receive at our Baptism that starts our spiritual walk with God in obtaining salvation through the Sacraments, it will remain a deep mystery. May we live for God and show his love one for another. Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Amen.
Jesus then showed them his hands and feet. The Gospel last week shows us that Jesus had appeared before and it is amazing that in such a short period of time the disciples would loose sight that Jesus had truly resurrected. It is often said that seeing is believing but imagine when the seeing frightens you. Jesus didn’t scorn the disciples for not believing he simply wanted to make sure they weren’t frightened.
Jesus went on to say,
“Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” After Jesus had calmed them down he showed them his hands and feet. The disciples were joyful as they loved Jesus, not only as Lord and Savior, but also as friend (part of their family). Jesus knew that people would think ghosts couldn’t eat so he said, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish and he took it and ate it in their presence.
The risen Lord said to them,
“These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you -- that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” He opened their minds to understand the scripture. He then said, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”
Is it only when we come to church that we remember that Jesus is alive and well? Do we act like the risen Lord can still perform miracles, or be everything we need? As Episcopalians we hold central the belief that when we partake in the Eucharistic feast every Sunday that Jesus is truly present. We know this to be a Holy Mystery. It is a deep mystery to consider we deserve something such as grace which is freely granted to us. Whether that grace is given when we need a helping hand, or when we, or a loved one is ill. Or, whether we obtain the same grace we receive at our Baptism that starts our spiritual walk with God in obtaining salvation through the Sacraments, it will remain a deep mystery. May we live for God and show his love one for another. Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Amen.
Collect:
O GOD, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of the bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Pray especially for:
John Cunningham, Betty Stenger, Terese Gluck, Rose Mauzy, David Garber, Pete Walburg, Ella Lane, Sara Pace, Bill Gardner, Katie Armstrong, the Heaton family, Lisa McNelly, Jimmy Milas, Tom Fagiana, and Pete Stanish.
Announcements & Reminders:
***The Adult Forum class will begin at 9:30AM on Sunday Morning at 9:30AM.
***Invite any kids you know on Sunday morning as we want to begin a youth ministry at St. Paul.
***Next Sunday after Mass there will be a brief meeting for the PR/Publicity Committee and all are invited to attend.
(1st Reading Acts 3:12-19, Psalm 4, 2nd Reading I John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48)
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