5 April 2018
Thursday in the Octave of Easter
Today’s Gospel is a continuation of yesterday’s. The disciples of Emmaus shared with others all that they had witnessed in the presence of the Risen Christ. As they are telling their story, Jesus appears in their midst filling all those present with awe and terror. To ease their fears, the Lord shows them his hands and his feet pierced by the nails on the cross.
There is a comfort that comes from knowing that in his glorified body, the Risen Christ kept his holy wounds. To us, they are a symbol of our salvation for through them, we are healed. They are a reminder, too, that our Savior knows pain and suffering, and yet has conquered all of it. Meditating on this will help to ease any of the fears and hardships that might arise in our day-to-day lives.