You are witnesses to these things
It is wonderful to contemplate the different manifestations of the risen Christ and its effects on the disciples and the rest of the world, transforming fear and despair into disbelief, then excitement, courage and eagerness to share the good news. The Lord himself confirms the story of the disciples of Emmaus, the report of the women, and Peter who had had a separate apparition, by appearing in the midst of his disciples, thus evoking first terror of seeing a ghost, then conviction and joy. Similarly, the healing of the cripple by Peter and John is followed first by curiosity and disbelief, then marvel at what the apostles had done.
However, the different manifestations of the risen Christ, do not have as purpose just to evoke wonder. It was not only to subdue the discouragement of his disciples and to remove the fear in their hearts. Ultimately, they should lead to repentance, conversion and belief in the good news, and then becoming witnesses to our faith. The gospel reading concludes with the words: ‘So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this.’ Similarly, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, in a marvelous way turns the admiration of the crowds for what the apostles done by healing the cripple, into realization of their own mistake for condemning Christ to death, and then into repentance for their sins and conversion to Christ.
Even today the risen Christ does manifest himself in different ways to those who seek him with a sincere heart, turning their hearts from guilt, fear or despair into joy, self-confidence and enthusiasm. However, he does this so that we may repent from our past sins, walk in his ways, and so that we may share the good news with others whose lives we touch.
