Acts 2:14,22-28; Psalm 15(16); 1 Peter 1:17-21; Luke 24:13-35
Today and next Sunday we hear parts of Peter’s speech at Pentecost. Peter emphasises that Jesus’ death was part of God’s plan, quoting the prophet Joel’s words about the wonders expected in the last days, when God’s Spirit will be poured out on all peoples. Jesus, a descendant of David is this expected “Anointed One”, “Messiah” in Hebrew, “Christ” in Greek, who now rightfully succeeds David as King of Israel.
The Psalm, attributed to King David, expresses total confidence in God, who will not let his soul die and will not let “your faithful one” suffer corruption in the grave. Both Peter, in today’s reading, and Paul saw this as referring to Christ’s resurrection.
Peter’s first letter reminds us of the price Jesus paid for our salvation in his suffering and death, so that we might “have faith and hope in God”. We should persevere in hope, in face of attacks and attractions of secular society.
In the Gospel Jesus appeared to the women. Then he joins two disciples walking despondently to Emmaus, and explains the scriptures to them, before they recognise him “at the breaking of bread”. The appearances of Jesus after the resurrection invite us to listen carefully: he was clearly bodily present, not just a spirit. Yet he was different, and could only be recognised with faith.