In Luke’s Gospel, the miraculous aspect of the resurrection is almost taken for granted. The women (vv 5-8), the two disciples (vv 25-26), and the Eleven (vv 38, 44-45) are chided for not having expected it, so obvious and inevitable was God’s plan. For Luke, as for John, the Christian life is a day by day continuation of the power of the resurrection.

This event reflects the pattern of developing faith through instruction, a faith that is climaxed in the recognition of Jesus in the eucharist. It is idle to speculate whether what Jesus did in vv 30-31 was really the eucharist. The point is that Luke saw this as reflecting the ordinary experience of the Christian — in the breaking of the bread we come to know Jesus.

One does not keep this knowledge merely to oneself. Once their eyes were opened, the disciples had to share it in joyful praise with the others (vv 33-35). And in their returning to share what they received, all were led to a still deeper understanding (vv 36-39).

Eight missionary sermons by the apostles are recorded in Acts. This is the first one given by Peter to the crowds on Pentecost. It is interesting to compare these sermons with one another (to Jews — 2:14-41; 3:12-26; 4:9-12; 5:29-32; 10:34-43; 13:17-41; to Gentiles — 14:15-17; 17:22-31.) They all have nearly the same basic structure: (1) an introduction, (2) an account of Christ’s death and resurrection seen as fulfilling Hebrew Scriptures, (3) a proclamation of Christ’s enthronement as Lord, and (4) a summons to conversion. Note that the heart of these sermons is already found in the instructions of Jesus to the two disciples in the Gospel reading, Lk 24:25-27. In referring to the Hebrew prophecy, Peter is not interested in proving the resurrection as a fact — this is done by living witnesses (v 32). The Christian life itself, lived under the power of the Spirit of the risen Christ, is the proof. Peter seeks rather to clarify its meaning. The resurrection of Jesus truly fulfilled the messianic hopes of God’s people, and so fulfills his promises to us.

This psalm is an expression of king David’s own commitment to the Lord who had chosen him and established his throne. As David is a "preview" of Christ, this psalm, quoted in the above reading from Acts, vv 25-28, is fittingly placed in the mouth of Christ as well as his followers. Response: "Lord, you will show us the path of life."

The key to this passage is the preceding verse (v 16): "Be holy, for I am holy." As Christians, we are not holy by our own effort or merit, but solely on account of Christ, in whom we have been reborn through baptism. What we are unfolds, then, in what we do.

This passage alludes to the passover ritual of the Jews, in which the blood of the lamb was the price (or condition) of their deliverance from slavery in Egypt.

1. How does the presence and power of Christ in the eucharist relate to the other ways he is present — in his people, in his word, in those who serve others?

2. How does your own awareness of the risen Christ influence your life?