Luke 24:35–48 PEACE IN THE MIDST OF FEAR

Year A, Thursday of the Easter Octave

The disciples are gathered together, still trying to make sense of everything that has happened. They have heard the testimony of the two

who encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus, yet their hearts are not fully at peace. Suddenly, Jesus stands in their midst and says,

“Peace be with you.” But instead of immediate comfort, they are startled and frightened. Fear still grips them.

This moment speaks directly to our own experience. Even when we hear the Good News, even when we believe, fear can still linger within us.

We carry worries about the future, burdens from the past, and uncertainties in the present. Like the disciples, we may struggle to fully

embrace the peace that Christ offers.

Jesus does not rebuke them for their fear. Instead, He meets them in it. He shows them His hands and His feet. He invites them to touch Him,

to see that He is real. Then, in a simple and deeply  human gesture, He asks for something to eat and shares a meal with them. In doing so, Jesus

reassures them that He is truly present—not a distant figure, not a memory, but alive and with them.

This is how God often works in our lives. He does not always remove our fears instantly, but He enters into them. He offers His presence

as the source of our peace. True peace is not the absence of problems; it is the presence of Christ in the midst of them.

Then Jesus opens their minds to understand the Scriptures. He helps them see that everything that happened—His suffering, His death,

and His Resurrection—was part of God’s saving plan. What once seemed like defeat is now revealed as victory. What once caused fear now becomes

the foundation of hope.

Finally, He gives them a mission: to be witnesses. The same disciples who were once afraid are now called to go out and proclaim repentance

and forgiveness in His name. Their fear is transformed into courage because they have encountered the Risen Lord.

This is the journey of Easter for us as well. We bring our fears, doubts, and struggles to Christ. He meets us with peace. He helps us understand.

And then He sends us out—not because we are perfect, but because we are loved and strengthened by His presence.

Food for Thought: What fears or anxieties am I holding onto, and how can I allow the peace of Christ to enter into those areas of my life?

With Love and Prayers

Your Co-Traveler

Father Leo