Appearance to the twelve (Luke 24: 36-48)
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
“Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel: “Be strong and bold, for you are the one who will go with this people into the land that Lord has sworn to our ancestors to give them; and you will put them in possession of it. It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.’
In the evening of Easter Sunday, the risen Christ, in His glorified body, joined his frightened apostles, passing through their locked doors, reading their troubled hearts, imparting to them the splendid fruit of His cross which is peace, commanding them to see Jis wounds in His hands and feet, to touch and handle Him — all this to make it absolutely certain that He was indeed risen from the dead.
It was the providence of God that allowed such amazing proofs and great signs as these. He wanted us to know the truth, that the religion He would establish was founded on fact, Christ is risen from the dead. With these signs, taken in conjunction with his miracles, and the prophecies about Him, made it completely certain that He had indeed risen from the dead.
The joy that filled the apostles that Easter day was equal only to the darkness and the sorrow which our Lord allowed them to suffer. Now, O Lord, you let them experience a completely unmerited grace so that a pattern might emerge and be revealed for all your disciples to learn …
Help us to understand that moments of darkness are a necessary part of your plan. Let this be our comfort in trial, a light in darkness, a victory over pain. Yes, Lord, it does seem to be too good to be true: you arrange every hurt in order to heal. Lord, increase our faith.
† Selim Sfeir
Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus