6 ^th Resurrection Gospel

(Luke 24:36-53)

And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.  But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

          The fifth Gospel reading ends with the return of Apostles Luke and Cleopas to Jerusalem following their encounter [with Christ] in Emmaus.  In a single moment, that encounter, the Traveling Companion who set their hearts ablaze, the breaking of bread, the revelation of the meaning of the Scriptures, their recognition of the Lord, all became the subject of heated discussion for the apostolic community.  The Gospel says it concisely: “they thus spake”.  While they were speaking, “Jesus Himself stood in their midst.” The Gospel text does not provide any sort of artificial overemphasis.  It does not say “suddenly,” but simply states “Jesus Himself stood in their midst, and saith unto them, ‘Peace be unto you.’“ They were confused and frightened, thinking that they had seen a ghost, but He, the Resurrected One, again said to them, “Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts?”  And He ordered them to look at Him and to touch him, to assure themselves that He was flesh and bone.  At that moment, all of them were doubting Thomases.

          The Apostles’ lack of faith was revealed in an astonishing manner: they “believed not for joy.” This is saintly, heavenly disbelief!  Usually one does not believe, or has little belief, because the life he is living is not in accordance with the Commandments, and his life is bereft of purity.  The Apostles do not believe “for joy.”... It was [such] true joy, that it was possible for them not to believe.       

However, it was too late for disbelief. They failed to remember what was already upon every one and every thing, “the Kingdom of Heaven, come in power,” that had been promised for the earth as well.  The soul trembled with great joy, but the body… the body needed some assistance.  Thus, Christ immediately talked to His human friends about the body and for the body. He asked for some food, and the Apostles obeyed God’s will. They gave Christ a piece of broiled fish and a honeycomb, and the Lord ate in the sight of the disciples. Once more, His Most-pure Flesh showed the world that His true humanity was no fiction. Before His Resurrection, the Lord had to reveal the mystery of His Divinity.  After the Resurrection, there appeared in people the need for a revelation of the mystery of Christ’s humanity.  Before the Resurrection, it was Mount Tabor and the light of the Glorious Transfiguration; and after the Resurrection, fresh wounds on the palms of His hands, honey, and a piece of broiled fish.

Archbishop John (Shakhovskoy)