It's Easter Octave. The two disciples at Emmaus, " had recognized Jesus at the breaking of bread'' (Lk 24:35, 31). Later, when Jesus appeared to them again in an enclosed room, what was the response of all? They were "in a state of alarm and fright ... agitated'' with "doubts rising in (their) hearts''; and yet, "their joy was so great ... they stood there dumbfounded'' (vv 37-38, 41).

To help them, Jesus engaged them by appealing to their senses. He spoke to them. Showed them His hands and feet. Ate a piece of grilled fish before them. And invited them to touch Him.

He reminded them of how He had taught them, "that everything written about Me, has to be fulfilled'' (v 44). Through this, " He ... opened their minds to understand the Scriptures'' (v 45).

Then He commissioned them to be His witnesses, " that, in His name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem'' (vv 48, 47) - beginning from where they were!

The reading from Acts tells how St Peter witnesses Jesus as the Christ, as the One Who had healed a cripple in their midst. St Peter appeals to the crowd to " repent and turn to God'' (Acts 3:19). We are the Easter people, our senses must turn to life again.

Whoever we are, wherever we are, whomever we are with, we are called to be His witnesses. Let us seize each opportunity as it presents itself.