Do you know the Risen Christ?
Jesus appears several times to his disciples after the
Resurrection. For example, in our gospel
reading from Luke this Sunday, Jesus reveals himself to his disciples both in
the Word and in the Breaking of the Bread.
In so doing, he transforms their meal, opening their minds, and their
hearts, and inviting them – Peace be with
you – to let go of what is holding them down – their doubts, their
unbelief, their sin and fear – so that they, too might be transformed. And then, fully present to them, body and
spirit, Jesus asks them to enter into his death and rising with him so that
they might be his witnesses to all that
is written, so that they might preach
repentance in his name.
Peter has been doing just that
throughout Jerusalem, as we read in Acts this week, witnessing not only to all
that God has done, but to the forgiveness Peter himself has experienced in his
own life. Peter calls his listeners to
do the same: to know the risen Jesus, to know the power of his death and
resurrection at work in their lives. Repent, therefore, and be converted, that
your sins may be wiped away, he tells them, for Jesus, as the epistle-writer John tells us, is expiation for our
sins (1 John). And, once they are in right
relationship with God, Psalm 4 assures them, they will fall peacefully asleep, able to enjoy God’s countenance shining upon them, and the gladness God puts in their
hearts.
Do you know the Risen Christ?
(Hint: for starters, he’s present
in the Word and in the Breaking of the Bread!)
This post is based on Fr. Pat's Scripture class.
Image source: Wordle
Image source: Wordle
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