Taste and See

Third Sunday of Easter

They gave Jesus a piece of broiled fish and he took it and ate in their presence - Luke 24:42-43

The risen Christ comes to the disciples in a surprising way. He could have blown open the door in a blaze of light. He could have judged them for deserting him during his trial and crucifixion. But instead he simply becomes present as flesh and blood in their midst and eats with them.

Luke makes clear that the risen Jesus is not a ghost, but "flesh and bones" that the disciples can touch and see (Luke 24:38-39). Here, as in his human life, Jesus is really present, incarnational, a body pulsing with new life. While the disciples are still struggling to comprehend this, full of both doubt and joy, Jesus asks for a fish and eats with them (Luke 24:41-43).

Christ is known in the breaking of bread (Luke 24:30 -31, 35) and eating of fish - signs that point to Jesus' earthly ministry of feeding the hungry and nourishing the poor with good news. The simple joy of eating together is a surprising sign for us of his resurrection.

When we gather around the table of holy communion, or our daily tables at home or work, Christ is really present, filling us with a word of peace and sending us to feed those who hunger for the forgiveness and love of God. Especially when we struggle with doubts and fears, the Risen One surprises us with signs of incarnation, signs of his kinship with human beings, and gives us faith and hope to participate in God's mission.

Today, like the first disciples, we are gathered in joy and doubt, fear and hope. Yet our risen Lord surprises us through grace-filled words spoken, abundant food shared, and flesh-and-blood people around us. These signs strengthen our witness of the resurrection. Taste and see the living presence of the body of Christ!