A reflection on Jesus appearing to his disciples in the Cenacle after his resurrection. He greets them with “Peace be with you” and shows them his wounds to prove that he is the same Jesus they knew, now glorified and divinized. The disciples are frightened and uncertain, questioning if their faith is just an invention or a myth, but Jesus understands their doubts and battles with them. Through the sacraments, the Eucharist, and the community of believers, we can encounter Jesus and be changed by his grace. He shows us that we are loved and forgiven, and we don’t need to live judging and condemning ourselves for being imperfect.
Christ is Risen! He is truly risen! Alleluia!
Welcome brothers and sisters to Via Luci’s station six. Jesus appears to the disciples who are gathered together in the cynical. After he appeared, the first word that he spoke to them is ‘Peace be with you.’ Then we hear that they were startled and frightened and supposed that they saw a spirit. And he said to them, ‘Why are you troubled? And why do questioning rise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Handle me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’
Although the disciples are enthusiastic and overjoyed to see the Lord, they are also frightened and uncertain. They wonder if he is really the one they knew or if he is a ghost, phantom, imagination or hallucination. They question if their faith is just an invention or a myth. They are uncertain if Jesus is alive as he said he is. However, he comes to them with his glorious wounds, which is an important detail, as he could have said that he has no more wounds and that what happened on Good Friday is the past. But instead, he shows his wounds to the disciples to show that he is the same Jesus that they knew, although glorified and divinized.
Jesus’ wounds are called ‘siguna’ in Latin, which also has to do with the military standard. When the Army used to March, they had the standard that would be informing the people what army it was. Now Jesus Christ is coming out with his glorious wounds as a victorious, mighty hero who conquered death and our infidelity. He understands our doubts, fears, and uncertainties and comes to us victorious, battling with us because we are battling with ourselves.
In the sacraments, the Eucharist, and the community of believers, we can encounter Jesus and be changed by his grace. He shows us that we don’t need to live judging and condemning ourselves for being imperfect because we are loved and forgiven. The battle will continue, but Jesus loves us, and we can believe in his mercy.
Christ is risen! Alleluia! He is truly risen!”
