set in authority over you. “Let no evil speech proceed from your mouth, but that which is good to the edification of faith, that it may administer grace to the hearers” (Eph. 4, 29).
Chapter LXXXI.
JESUS APPEARS TO THE ASSEMBLED APOSTLES, AND
INSTITUTES THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE.
[Luke 24, 36. Mark 16, 14. John 20, 19.]
WHILE the apostles and disciples were thus assembled together[1] in a room in Jerusalem, the doors of which were closed, Jesus came[2] and stood in their midst, saying to them: “Peace[3] be to you! It is I, fear not!” They trembled with fear, thinking it was a spirit[4]. But He said to them: “Why are you troubled? See My Hands and Feet! A spirit hath not flesh and bones as you see Me to have.” Then He showed them His Hands, His Feet, and His Side[5]. But they still wondered[6], and were scarcely able to believe their senses, when Jesus asked: “Have ye here anything to eat?”[7] They gave Him broiled fish and some honeycomb. And when He had eaten in their presence, He took what remained, and gave it to them. “Then He opened their understanding that they might understand the Scriptures.” [8]
- ↑ Assembled together. On the evening of the day of the Resurrection, when, as was related in the last chapter, the eleven apostles and the other disciples were assembled together. In this chapter further particulars are given, and we are told that they were in a room — probably the room which Jesus had sanctified by the institution of the Holy Eucharist.
- ↑ Came. Suddenly, and without passing through the door.
- ↑ Peace. This salutation, which Jesus repeated, had since the consummation of His Sacrifice on Calvary acquired an especial significance and force. By these words our Blessed Lord imparted to His disciples the fruits of His saving death, i. e. a complete reconciliation with God and a forgiveness of all their sins.
- ↑ A spirit. They believed that His Soul was visiting them with only the appearance of a body, instead of with His real Body.
- ↑ His Side. The wound in His Side.
- ↑ Wondered. For very joy, just as, of old, Jacob (Old Test. XXVI) could not believe the good news that his son Joseph was still alive. They could not realise the truth, so great was their joy, but went on saying to themselves: “Is it possible? Can it be true? Is it not a delusion?”
- ↑ To eat. In order to convince them that His Body was real and not merely an apparition. The glorified body can eat, though it need not eat, for it does not require earthly nourishment.
- ↑ Scriptures, i. e. what was written in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms concerning Him (Luke 24, 44. 45).
