633 sligo avenue, silver spring, md 20910
633 sligo avenue, silver spring, md 20910
Rev. Susan G. Astarita
April 30, 2006
On this third Sunday in Easter we read Luke's witness to the Resurrection.
To date Joanna, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and the other women had gone to the tomb to annoint the body of Jesus. They reported the tomb empty and the disciples received their testimony as an idle tale. However, later in the day the Risen Christ appeared to Somon, who accepted the reality that Jesus had risen.
The two who walked to Emmaus with Jesus and ate with him also testified to Jesus' Risen life. We think these two were not members of the disciples' inner circle, and it is clear that they had no knowledge or expectation that Jesus had conquered death.
Those who had not seen were still confused and probably continued to question witnesses to this hard-to-believe miracle.
And then suddenly, in today's gospel, Jesus appears in the midst of the disciples' dialogue about what has happened, speaking familiar words of greeting "peace be with you." Jesus invites them to look at his wounds, as he did with Thomas, and to touch him in order to convince them that his Risen body is no less substantial than their own.
Luke stresses the bodily character of the resurrection and, for further verification of Jesus reality and presence; he eats a piece of broiled fish, earthly food, that his heavenly body can consume. The real presence of the redemption is known in the most physical and human of ways in eating with friends.
In the conversation the gospeler Luke explains that the glorified risen Christ relates his sacrificial death to Scripture. So he "opened their minds to understand the scriptures" and recounted how it was evident from Moses and the prophets that God's messiah had to suffer and die before he could be raised from the dead.
As Christians we interpret all scripture through this Easter event of the resurrection at the heart of the Christian faith. As Episcopalians we discern and discuss this event in different ways. But we all agree that the strength of our witness rests in the possibility of resurrection and empowers those who put their trust in the Risen Christ.
We are discussing the core of the Christian faith and the power of the resurrection in covenant class. I am happy to extend this discussion to any parishioner. You may also discuss with Jim Monsma, my co-leader.
Let us go forth in the name of the Risen Christ.
Faithfully,
Mother Susan +