These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come, have breakfast." And none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. (Jn 21:1-14)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041423.cfm
I call this passage, “Breakfast by the Sea.” It is interesting that the Beloved Disciple is the one who recognizes that the One on the shore is the Lord (even after the miraculous catch of fish the other disciples are clueless!). The invitation, “Come, have breakfast,” reflects the Feeding of the Five Thousand with the loaves and the fishes from earlier in this gospel and is a reference to the Eucharist.
While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have." And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. (Lk 24:35-48)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041323.cfm
Today’s gospel writer tries to help us understand the Resurrection—but even here words fail. Perhaps as the writer says of the disciples: they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed.
And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. (Lk 24:13-35)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041223.cfm
This is one of my favorite Easter readings because it’s our story too. We do not journey alone, the Lord gives us companions on the Way. The Risen Lord is the Invisible Guest in every meal, because like the two disciples of Emmaus, we too know him in the Breaking of the Bread.
Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he had told her. (Jn 20:11-18)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041123.cfm
The Risen Lord tells Mary Magdalene to “go and tell,” which is why she has always been called the “apostle to the apostles.” It was Pope Francis that called the church to recognize the special role of Mary Magdalene and raised her feast day to the rank of an apostle and gave her a special preface for the Eucharistic Prayer.
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” (Mt 28:8-15)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041023.cfm
How important are Mary Magdalene and the other faithful women! They are the first to receive the good news, the first to have an encounter with the Risen Lord, and the first to receive the apostolic mission to go and tell. They saw, they heard, they proclaimed! With these three verbs, may we too enter into the passover of the Lord from death to life.
