What images provoke the most fear in our popular imagination? Quite often, it is those images of a malformed humanity. Long, slender fingers, claw-like fingernails, sharp teeth, impossibly high cheekbones, two cloven hooves that walk upright, colorless skin. Are these not the anthropomorphic features on demons and ghosts often conjured in our minds? There’s something about the warped resemblance to a human being that makes these images often more frightening than creeping insects or wild beasts. Instinctually, perhaps, we interpret them as a sort of corruption, a humanity gone wrong.
In today’s gospel, the disciples are “startled and terrified” at seeing the Risen Christ, confusing him for a ghost initially. Jesus’ “Peace be with you” seems to have the opposite effect. Their hearts are troubled. What do they fear? What harm do they foresee coming to them? These are core questions that we can ask when we find ourselves in the common state of distress.
Jesus reassures them by showing them his wounds and asking for something to eat. It doesn’t get more human than this! Who among us can claim to never have been wounded physically, mentally, or emotionally? Who among us doesn’t need food every single day? The Lord shows his disciples his beautiful, glorified humanity: wounds, hunger, and all.
By his wounds, we are healed. By his hunger for souls, we are satiated. Shall we hide our wounds and our hunger from the Lord? Shall we deny our own humanity before him, thinking it too misshapen and warped for his eyes? There is nothing to fear, no harm can be done when we stand before the one who has conquered all evil, even death.