In Their Midst
Thursday in the Octave of Easter
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Luke 24:35-48 - The disciples of Jesus recounted what had taken place along the way, and how they had come to recognize him in the breaking of bread.
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. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.
He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…He stood in their midst and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
It should be a real comfort to us that the first thing that Jesus says to many of those to whom He appears after His Resurrection, is “Peace.” He doesn’t directly mention love, or life, or victory…but peace. Certainly, by saying this Jesus wants to calm the natural fears of those who are “startled and terrified” at seeing Him raised from the dead. But there is also a deeper meaning in His greeting.
Jesus is proclaiming a new reality for those who believe in Him. They are, for the first time, at peace with God. The separation, curse, and opposition that mankind’s sin had caused between us and God has been overcome. After the Death and Resurrection of Christ, there is a new, profound peace: a peace between God and man. In the life of grace given to us through the Church, especially through the Sacraments, we are brought into this peace. Accept the peace offered to you by Jesus. He means it when He says, “Peace be with you”…with you! In prayer, let’s ask the Lord for the grace to receive His gift of peace.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above.(Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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