"Everything written about me in the Law of Moses
And in the prophets and psalms
Was destined to be fulfilled"
Luke 24: 44b

In today's gospel, the Risen Jesus shows his disciples that he is real. He reveals his wounds to them. They see that he is flesh and bone. He eats baked fish; only real people can eat! Jesus also helps them to understand the meaning of their sacred scripture in the light of recent events and so to appreciate that God's dreams for his people had been realised through Jesus' life, death and resurrection.

Jesus' appearance gives the disciples first hand evidence of the faithfulness of God. Jesus has Risen; he is here with them. God's words are fulfilled. See! God is to be trusted.

Jesus gives his disciples his Holy Spirit, an enduring experience of his real presence with them. Christ within them; Christ before them; Christ around them: nothing would ever be the same again.

And today, two thousand years on? The same Risen Christ is present with you now; his Holy Spirit enabling you to share the early experience of the disciples. Through this Spirit, Christ is really present with you as you read the gospel, guiding you, helping you to recognise in Christ and in God's Word the reality of a God who keeps his promises and is faithful to his dream for us.