Remembrance of the Risen Jesus

Abstract

Why did the risen Jesus risk the communication of the truth of his Resurrection to the Church’s historical memory? The chapter examines this question by exploring scriptural and liturgical remembering. With regard to scriptural remembering, it draws especially upon the work of Richard Bauckham, who argues that the Gospels are based upon eyewitness testimony. The second mode of historical memory that connects later believers with Jesus and his disciples/apostles consists in liturgical remembrance. The chapter explores this remembrance by focusing upon what biblical scholars have to say about Luke 22:19’s reference to liturgical remembrance, in light of theological reflection upon the unity of word and sacrament. Here again, the passing of the generations need not produce a separation of later believers from the disciples’ communion with the risen Jesus. Through liturgical remembrance, which includes proclamation of Scripture, later believers share intimately in the disciples’ communion with the risen Jesus.