Lk 24:35–48
Then the two disciples told what had happened on the road to Emmaus, and how Jesus had made himself known, when he broke bread with them.
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood in their midst. (He said to them, “Peace to you.”) In their panic and fright they thought they were seeing a ghost, but he said to them, “Why are you upset, and how does such an idea cross your minds? Look at my hands and feet, and see that it is I myself! Touch me, and see for yourselves, for a ghost has no flesh and bones as I have!” (As he said this, he showed his hands and feet.)
Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, as they were astonished; so he said to them, “Have you anything to eat?” And they gave him a piece of broiled fish. He took it, and ate it before them.
Then Jesus said to them, “Remember the words I spoke to you when I was still with you: Everything written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
And he said, “So it was written: the Messiah had to suffer, and on the third day rise from the dead. Then repentance and forgiveness in his name would be proclaimed to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.
REFLECTION
Jesus healed many miraculously by touch: a leper, Peter’s mother-in-law, a deaf, a blind, the woman with a discharge of blood, the twelve year old girl, the stooped woman, and the servant of the high priest in the garden of Gethsemane
Shakespeare famously referred to a “mind’s eye,” but scientists at USC have found out a “mind’s touch.” They discovered that when looking at an object, the brain not only processes what the object looks like, but remembers what it feels like to touch it. This connection is so strong that a computer examining data coming only from the part of your brain that processes touch can predict which object you are actually looking at. (R. Perkins, USC)
The disciples needed to see and touch Jesus’ side in order to believe. Their faith was terribly shaken. A woman touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and was healed. In contrast with the disciples, she had faith and needed to manifest it.
“Faith is a knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof.” (Khalil Gibran)
“In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don’t.” (B. Pascal’s Introduction, Pensees)
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