The Resurrection was a total shock, unexpected and startling despite what Jesus had told His disciples about His Passion and the consequences of it. Any suggestion that the disciples fabricated the evidence of Jesus' Resurrection can be dismissed by studying the despondency of the disillusioned travellers to Emmaus. They were far from eager to accept the Resurrection accounts they had heard from the women at the tomb. They needed the Risen Lord Himself to explain God's plan for Him, as laid out in the Scriptures, and the recent events were the fulfilment of God's promises.

Full recognition of His real presence with them, in word and meal, came only when they invited Him to share their meal, when from being a guest He became their host. His breaking of the bread, evoking the Last Supper, was the moment of illumination, and their unbounded joy at the revelation led to immediate action in spreading the Good News.

The instant reaction of the crippled beggar at the Gate of the Temple was identical - he went "into the Temple, walking and jumping and praising God." (Acts 3:9). That was the effect, not only of the cure he had received, but also of the recognition of God at work, God present with His people always. All that is needed to see Him is to be open to Him, to invite Him to be with us.