Have you ever experienced something so surreal that you had to pinch yourself to check if you were dreaming? Maybe you've had a moment where reality seemed to blur, leaving you questioning what was truly happening. In this Sunday’s Gospel, the disciples face a similar disorientation when Jesus appears to them after his resurrection. They thought they were seeing a ghost, but Jesus quickly tried to calm their fears by showing them his wounds and asking for something to eat.

Can you imagine the conversations buzzing through the streets of Jerusalem in those days? Everyone was trying to make sense of the events that had happened—the crucifixion, the empty tomb, and now rumors of Jesus being alive. In the midst of the chaos and confusion, the disciples and others gathered in Jerusalem were struggling with fear, doubt, and uncertainty. Then, out of nowhere, Jesus shows up. 

"Peace be with you," he said, offering words of comfort in the middle of their unsettledness. But he didn't stop there. He questioned their fear and confusion, just as he had done many times before. And then, in a seemingly ordinary gesture, he asked what was for dinner.

It was the same Jesus, yet different—once dead, but now alive. Jesus didn't offer elaborate explanations of what happened and why he was there. Instead, he taught and encouraged them to spread his teachings in the world.

As followers of Christ, we are called to be witnesses as well. Just as Jesus appeared to the disciples in their time of need, he continues to show up in our lives today. In moments of tragedy, despair, and brokenness, Jesus offers comfort, assurance, and a gentle reminder that God is still at work in the world.

But being a witness to Christ's presence isn't just about words—it's about actions. It's about standing for love, grace, and mercy that Jesus showed in his life and ministry. It's about participating in God's work of healing and forgiveness, wherever there is brokenness and injustice.

And it is also about being open and accepting of the healing and forgiveness that comes to us through the actions and words of people around us. Amen.