STORY OF THE APPARITION OF OUR LORD TO OUR LADY AND THE APOSTLES

 Jesus appeared to the others when Thomas had left and the doors were locked. Amidst them, He saluted them, saying: “Peace be with you. It is I; do not afraid.”

At this sudden apparitions, the Apostles were afraid, less what they saw was a ghost or phantasm, and the Lord added: 

“Why are you disturbed, and why do these thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and feet, that it is I Myself; handle and see: for a spirit hath no flesh and bones, as you see Me have.”

The Apostles were so excited and confused, that though they saw Him and touched the wounded hands of the Saviour, they could not realize, that it was He to whom they spoke and whom they touched. The loving Master in order to assure them still more, he said to them:

 “Give Me something to eat, if you have any.”

Joyfully they offered Him some fried fish and a comb of honey. He ate part of these, and divided the rest among them, saying: 

“Do you not know, that all that has happened to Me is the same that has been written by Moses and the Prophets, in the Psalms and holy Scriptures, and that all must necessarily be fulfilled in Me as it was prophesied?”

And at these words He opened their minds, and they knew Him, and understood the sayings of the Scriptures concerning His Passion, Death, and Resurrection on the third day. Having thus instructed them, He said again:

“Peace be with you. As the Father had sent me, so I send you, in order that you may teach the world the knowledge of the truth, of God and of eternal life, preaching repentance of sins and forgiveness of them in my name.”

Breathing upon them, He continued: 

“Receive the Holy Spirit, in order that the sins which you forgive may be forgiven, and those which you do not forgive, may not be forgiven. Preach ye to all nations starting from Jerusalem.”

Then the Saviour, having thus consoled and confirmed them in faith, and having given them and all priests the power to forgive sins, vaished from their midst.