It has been over 40 days since Resurrection Sunday

The Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Matthew (28:16-20)
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

The Acts of the Apostles (1:1-3, 6-11)
The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. ...
Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Jesus, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"
And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

Homily
Do you realize that just over 40 days have passed since Easter, April 12th? What have you been doing since then? Anything big happened? Any big trips? As you may know, this closes one chapter on Biblical history and we are on the cusp of starting another. Today is part of the interlude.
As we discussed last time, Jesus made specific appearances to select people. Matthew possibly relates the event that Paul spoke of where 500 were present, in Galilee where He had taught most often and far from the city where Jesus was crucified. Some had doubts, but all heard the commission. Make disciples. Spread the Word. He made other appearances in Galilee as recorded by John. But our Lord had prophecy to fulfill in Jerusalem. So the apostles followed His directions to return to Jerusalem.
Luke picks up the story there for the book of Acts. For forty days following His resurrection He taught and revealed Himself to the apostles. Infallible proof is how Luke describes it. They wondered what was next. Jesus replied that the earthly kingdom would have to wait, but that His people were to be about His work, making disciples. Then almost un-spectacularly He ascended into heaven away from them. Stunned and momentarily directionless, an angel puts the sight into context. "He is coming again, same place and in similar manner. Be ready."
So begins the wait. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to them. It shouldn't take long.

Places to Go, People to see,

The first letter from Paul to the Corinthians (15:3-8)
"For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. "

Homily
Allow me a few thoughts from this second-hand travelogue of our Lord. One, integral in Paul's case that the physical resurrection of Christ is foundational in the gospel of Christianity is not only that the Scriptures attest that it would happen, but also that there are many, many eyewitnesses of the resurrected Christ, himself least among them.
But also notice to whom He appeared. Peter ("Cephas") is listed first. The one who publicly denied knowing Him was privileged to have been personally restored to fellowship with his Lord. Over five hundred believers saw Jesus Christ at one event otherwise unrecorded in Scripture. But one that seems especially special to me is that Jesus was seen by James. It is understood that this James was the half-brother of Jesus. James is shown in the gospels to have not trusted his Brother as Messiah or Lord. Yet in Acts, James is listed in chapter one as among the believers, and later as a pastor over the congregation in Jerusalem. The change that took place in James is hinted here in the letter to the Corinthians. The reconciliation between the two brothers as one who is Savior and the other who is sinner is touching. Is it a case of "blood is thicker than water" as we say back home in Gravette? No, but here are the steps of faith in James and the glorious grace and love of God personified in His Son overcoming the most stubborn sibling rivalry. James repenting of his pride and hatred against his Brother. Jesus personally affirming forgiveness and restoration to His sibling.