Surprised by the Risen Christ — A Review

In the gospels, every word carries meaning that we easily miss in its full depth. Each evangelist tells the story from his own perspective, writing for readers of different places, faiths, and traditions. Yet together, they capture the foundation of what it means to follow Jesus. In don Marco Bove's text, we stand beside Mary Magdalene, Cleopas and his unnamed companion on the road to Emmaus, Peter, Thomas, the other disciples—and we live in our own hearts their bewilderment, their fear, their joy. We journey with them to the Damascus road and Paul's conversion, as recounted in Acts. We notice the echoes and the subtle differences in each encounter: experiences that speak deeply to our own lives. Like those disciples then, we cannot recognize Jesus beside us without his word or his gesture. These are stages in a journey that concerns Christians yesterday and today—landmarks showing us where the one who alone can renew our lives awaits us and comes to meet us.