5th December

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Then he said to Thomas: "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." John 20, 19 & 20 & 27

Pierced hands

However, somebody unknown approaches them and goes with them. When they arrive at Emmaus they invite him to the house and they sit down at the table. The mysterious foreigner takes the bread and shares it out after having thanked God. At that moment their eyes are opened and they recognize Jesus (Luke 24, 31). No doubt, they noticed his pierced hands...

A little later the disciples are together in Jerusalem. They have carefully locked the doors because of fear of the Jews. All of a sudden Jesus is among them but nobody recognizes him. So he shows them his pierced hands and his side which was wounded by a spear of a Roman soldier. It is really him, their beloved Master, Jesus who died and resurrected.

When he will return to establish his kingdom the faithful people on earth will ask him following bewildering question: "What are these wounds on your body?" He will answer: "The wounds I was given at the house of my friends" (Zechariah 13, 6).

Master, for ever you are the only recognizable among all the human beings. We will se your wonderful glory and the wounds of your hands.