Gospel in Art: The disciples told their story of what had happened on the road

Supper at Emmaus and the Last Supper, Goldsmith Henry Greenway, Commissioned by King Charles II © Buckingham Palace, London

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 13 April 2023
Luke 24:35-48

The disciples told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised Jesus at the breaking of bread.

They were still talking about all this when Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you!' In a state of alarm and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost. But he said, 'Why are you so agitated, and why are these doubts rising in your hearts? Look at my hands and feet; yes, it is I indeed. Touch me and see for yourselves; a ghost has no flesh and bones as you can see I have.' And as he said this he showed them his hands and feet. Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, and they stood there dumbfounded; so he said to them, 'Have you anything here to eat?' And they offered him a piece of grilled fish, which he took and ate before their eyes.

Then he told them, 'This is what I meant when I said, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms has to be fulfilled.' He then opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, 'So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this.'

Reflection on the Alms Dish

This magnificent alms dish, part of His Majesty's Royal Collections, was made for the Coronation of Charles II which took place on 23 April 1661 in Westminster Abbey. The silver-gilt alms dish is embossed in the centre with The Last Supper (and the royal Stuart arms, 1603-89). The broad rim with auricular scrollwork and oval reserves contains four scenes:

1. The Washing of the Apostles' Feet

2. The Road to Emmaus (the reserve to the right)

3. Christ sending out the Apostles to preach to all nations (relating to today's Gospel reading)

4. The Descending of the Holy Spirit

In today's Gospel reading the story of Emmaus continues from where we left off yesterday, but today it involves the wider group of Jesus' disciples. He appears to them not just to reassure them, but in order to ask them to be his witnesses. He sends them out on mission.

While this alms dish was made for decorative purposes to adorn the high altar at Westminster Abbey and create a dazzling display alongside similar objects, the church has a long tradition of commissioning alms dishes. The giving of alms, even in the early Church, was seen as an act of charity towards those less fortunate in the community. The Offertory is still a key moment during mass when alms are collected to support the church, the poor, the maintenance of the building, victims of injustices, etc… According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (no. 2462), almsgiving is "a witness to fraternal charity" and "a work of justice pleasing to God."

In a way, today's reading summarises the dynamics of the Christian life: to hear Christ's word, then to accept his word, then to try to live his word and to help spread his word….

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-24-35-48-2023/