The work of Christ continues.

Those who think logically about the Church today and see in it a continuation of the work of Christ will conclude that the Gospel today is essential for us. The chronological sequence of events leads us on. The disciples of Emmaus tell how they met Christ on the way and how they came to know him in the breaking of the bread. Luke further notes: While they were speaking, he stood in their midst and said to them: “Peace be to you!” (Lk 24:36).

In what are we to see the importance of this Gospel? If the Emmaus disciples’ encounter with Christ closes, he wants to tell us that Christ has risen from the dead with his body. He is thinking here of the body the apostles see and by which they know him. If only the spirit had been raised from the dead, they would not have seen Christ. Therefore Jesus deliberately appears to his apostles, showing them his hands, feet, and body. They can convince themselves that they are genuine and not some counterfeit. The body of Jesus they see is his and no one else’s. Even though it has a different quality, that is, no laws of nature apply to it, it can pass through closed doors, and yet it is his body that died on the cross in agonizing torment. This encounter is therefore essential because Jesus must convince them that he is indeed alive and already with a body of blessedness which they will see in eternal glory. Further, let us also note that the death of the Lord Jesus was foretold in the Old Testament and refers to Jesus as the Messiah. This is necessary for the apostles to understand. Therefore, the glorified Christ appears to them to convince their own that it is He who has died, and His work continues. We know that everything about Christ, his passion, death, and resurrection, was revealed to men in the Old Testament. And now Christ’s resurrection will illuminate these predictions of the prophets of the ancient and near past. Here we see that Christ is the center of history, that he is the true center for all people. Therefore, Jesus must prove to the apostles the truth of the Easter events.

This event, then, opened the gate that the Church and the work of Jesus Christ go on. It is growing and will be multiplied throughout history by others who will believe in Christ and do works of repentance. The apostles and the whole Church are to participate in this mission as witnesses to Christ’s suffering and death, and resurrection. That is why we do not look at the resurrection of Jesus as an event that happened some two thousand years ago and does not concern us. On the contrary, it affects us all. The words of the Lord Jesus apply to us: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (Jn 20:29).

Our faith in Christ’s resurrection is essential for our life because it strengthens us to walk firmly towards the eternal goal and to follow Christ in his sufferings so that we too may embrace the eternal glory. There is no other way to eternity than the way of Christ. Christ’s resurrection illuminates this way. Without this light, our earth would be clouded with sorrow and despair. And not only the world but every person and all human history.

For us, this is a beautiful reassurance. We believe that we, too, gain our goal through Christ’s death. Since that most significant event in the history of the world, when Christ conquered death and rose from the dead, our journey has become a journey that leads not to the unknown to uncertainty. Still, the eternal homeland, to the arms of the Father, to the state we call heaven or eternal bliss.

Therefore, let us pray: ‘Lord, enlighten us with the light of your resurrection so that we may not lose our way on the road to you, but may persevere, and one day enters with you into eternal glory.