Strengthened for Mission!

Thursday, April 24, 2025

Acts 3:11-26; Lk 24:35-48

Today’s Gospel highlights Jesus strengthening his disciples through his appearance. 

The text shows that Jesus’ appearance was needed to strengthen his disciples crippled by fear. Since doing away with their fear was more important, Jesus began his conversation by saying, ‘Peace be with you.’ 

By the word ‘ghost,’ we see that the disciples lacked understanding about Christ’s resurrection. It is also clear that though Jesus foretold his resurrection many times before, it had hardly entered their minds. It is only when they see the Risen Lord in their midst, showing his hands and feet, that they perceive what the reality of resurrection would look like. In addition, Jesus’ eating the fish confirms the bodily resurrection for those who do not believe it. Once again Jesus enlightens them with the scriptural teachings regarding the passion and resurrection of the Messiah.

Why would Jesus strengthen his disciples? It is for the sake of the mission. 

It is these disciples who go on to become witnesses to Christ’s suffering and resurrection. They cannot preach what they do not believe in. Hence, the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus aim at enabling and reconfirming the faith of his disciples so that they would proclaim the kerygma. 

The disciples of Jesus exist for mission. We are called to become witnesses to the love of the Risen Lord. 

Let us pray that we may become the heralds of the love we experience from the Risen Lord.

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar