Thursday within Easter Octave : 21st April 2022

When the resurrected Jesus suddenly stood among the Apostles and the disciples, what was their response? They were “in a state of alarm and fright; they thought they were seeing a ghost” (v 37). They were “agitated” and filled with “doubts” in their hearts (v 38). “Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, and … stood there dumbfounded” (v 41). Their brain was going through an emotional overload!

What did Jesus do? He simply asked them to touch Him; showed them His crucified hands and feet, and ate a piece of grilled fish before their eyes. He then reminded them of what He had said – that everything written about Him in the Hebrew Bible “has to be fulfilled”     (v 44). To help them further, He “opened their minds to understand the scriptures” that says that “the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead”   (v 45-46).

After this, Jesus gave them a Commission – that, “in His name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem” and that they would be His witnesses   (vv 47-48). Thus, the impetus for evangelisation and mission by followers of Jesus throughout the ages.

Today, we, too, have received this Commission to be Jesus’ witnesses. And like the first witnesses, let us remember that like them, we too will be empowered by the Holy Spirit as we answer and fulfil this Commission of Jesus (Acts 1:8).

Lord, we rejoice at Your resurrection.