April 18, 2021 (Liturgical Year B)
Luke 24:36-48
Do you think this holds true today? Is Jesus still full of surprises? And if he is, are we even attentive enough to notice?
Today’s Gospel immediately follows the events on the road to Emmaus. Do you remember that story? It is the same day the women discovered the empty tomb. Two disciples walk to a town neighboring Jerusalem. The reason for their travel is not given. Only one disciple is named. We’re not even sure where Emmaus was located. What is important is not the where, or even all the deails of the who, but the what. The encounter they have on their journey changes everything. At the same moment they realized who He was, Jesus evaporates before their very eyes. In their excitement, they rush back to the others in Jerusalem. In the moment of their recounting, Jesus appears among them again, despite the locked doors. He sends them forth to proclaim God’s love and call for spiritual renewal.
In this short sequence, between morning and evening of the same day, Jesus surprises his disciples not once, or even twice, but thrice.
Jesus is full of surprises!
Do you think this holds true today? Is Jesus still full of surprises?
And if he is, are we even attentive enough to notice?
If we do notice, do we simply nod, grateful for the Divine affirmation, and go about our normal business? Or do we take it to heart, and transform ourselves — however gradually — in response to that call?