Our reading this
morning was an account of one of Jesus’ resurrection appearances. Following the meeting on the road to Emmaus,
where, at the end of the day, He broke bread with two of the disciples, He
subsequently appeared to the others, but they didn’t recognise Him and thought
they were seeing a ghost.
It was only when he
came among them, ate the fish with them and showed them His hands and his feet
did they recognise that he was indeed the risen Lord.
Part of our
thinking was directed at how we recognise people, particularly as time passes,
and physically people ‘change.’ Jesus had changed physically so the disciples
needed another way to recognise Him.
We recognise people
because of the sort of people they are and the things they do – their actions.
One of Jesus actions was with the bread; he took, blest, broke and gave; an
action which is central to the Eucharist today.
The events of
Easter can be difficult for some, however, for others, the conviction that
Jesus has risen has led to a life long commitment to His witness and service.
Through their
contact, the disciples were transformed, they were charged with being witnesses
of the risen Christ and spreading the Good News of God’s forgiveness to all,
beginning in Jerusalem.
We are all, as
disciples, charged to be witnesses to the faith. Are we prepared to own that
faith and put our name to it, particularly when there are issues contrary to Jesus’
teaching to be decided?
Rev. Frances
