Luke - Chapter 24

Passage

And on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled back from the tomb. And going in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were puzzled in their mind about this, behold, two men stood by them in shining clothing. And as they were afraid and bowed their faces toward the ground, they said to them: Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen. Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee, Saying: The Son of man must be handed over into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise again. And they remembered his words. And going back from the tomb, they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. And it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women who were with them who told these things to the apostles. And these words seemed to them like nonsense: and they did not believe them. But Peter rose up and ran to the tomb and, stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves: and he went away wondering within himself at what had happened. And behold, two of them went that same day to a town named Emmaus, which was sixty furlongs from Jerusalem. And they talked together about all these things which had happened. And it happened that while they were talking and reasoning with each other, Jesus himself also drew near and went with them. But their eyes were held, so that they did not recognize him. And he said to them: What are these things that you are discussing with one another as you walk and are sad? And one of them, whose name was Cleophas, answered and said to him: Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who has not known the things that have happened there in these days? And he said to them: What things? And they said: About Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet, mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, And how our chief priests and rulers handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we were hoping that it was he who would redeem Israel. And now besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. Yes, and certain women of our company also astonished us, who were at the tomb before it was light, And not finding his body, came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who say that he is alive. And some of our people went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said: but him they did not find. Then he said to them: O foolish and slow of heart to believe in all the things which the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and so to enter into his glory? And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained to them in all the scriptures the things that concerned him. And they drew near to the town where they were going: and he acted as though he would go farther. But they urged him, saying: Stay with us, because it is toward evening and the day is now far spent. And he went in with them. And it happened, while he was at table with them, that he took bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened: and they recognized him. And he vanished out of their sight. And they said to one another: Was not our heart burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened to us the scriptures? And rising up that same hour, they went back to Jerusalem: and they found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them, Saying: The Lord is risen indeed and has appeared to Simon. And they told what had happened on the way, and how they knew him in the breaking of bread. Now while they were speaking of these things, Jesus stood in the midst of them and said to them: Peace be to you. It is I: fear not. But they were troubled and frightened and thought that they saw a spirit. And he said to them: Why are you troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see: for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see me have. And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. But while they still did not believe and were wondering for joy, he said: Do you have anything here to eat? And they offered him a piece of broiled fish and a honeycomb. And when he had eaten before them, he took what remained and gave it to them. And he said to them: These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which are written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and in the psalms. Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures. And he said to them: Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise again from the dead on the third day: And that penance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. And I send the promise of my Father upon you: but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high. And he led them out as far as Bethania: and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. And it happened, while he blessed them, that he departed from them and was carried up to heaven. And they, adoring him, went back to Jerusalem with great joy. And they were always in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.