Handle me

Before we continue our reading of the apparition story in Luke, let us take stock of the very first apparitions of Jesus after resurrection in the four canonical gospels.

Mark ends at 16:8. Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James and the third woman Salome entered the tomb only to find an angel. The angel told them to report to Peter and the other disciples to meet Jesus in Galilee. The women fled because they were afraid (Mark 16:8).
Scholars believe that an appendix of various apparitions was added. Firstly, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene alone (Mark 16:9-11). Next, the appendix mentions Jesus' apparition to 2 disciples, agreeing with Luke's account (Mark 16:12-13). In both cases, Jesus' disciples did not believe the reports.
Matthew does not mention Salome in the Easter visit to the tomb early in the morning. They saw an angel of the Lord descend to roll away the stone at the entrance of the tomb. The angel instructed them to report to the disciples, without mentioning Peter, and told them to meet Jesus in Galilee. The women returned in fear and joy and met Jesus on the way (Matthew 28:9-10). So, Jesus first appeared to two Mary's.
Luke reports the women seeing 2 angels instead of one. Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary the mother of James were named. But Jesus did not appear to them in Luke's account. Instead, Jesus appeared to 2 disciples on their way back to Emmaus. When they reported to the apostles, Luke also mentions that Jesus had appeared to Simon (Luke 24:34).
John reports that only Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and found the rock at the entrance removed. She reported to Peter and the disciple Jesus loved. They went to investigate. Mary Magdalene followed. After the two had left, she saw two angels in the tomb. At that moment, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene (John 20:14).
In summary, there are two traditions about Jesus' first apparition after resurrection. One tradition, represented by Matthew and John, has Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene first and the other, represented by Luke, to 2 disciples in Emmaus. The 2 traditions do not mention each other. Of course, we cannot conclude that these 2 traditions are mutually exclusive. Both can be true and Mark collects both. Now, let's move forward in Luke.
After realizing what they had seen, the 2 disciples from Emmaus hurried back to Jerusalem to report to the eleven apostles and those who were with them (Luke 24:33). While they were reporting, Jesus appeared to these 13 plus people. Jesus tried to help them understand him.
See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me ψηλαφήσατέ με, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have (Luke 24:39). He even asked for a piece of fish and ate before them to demonstrate that after resurrection, he still had flesh and bone.
ψηλαφήσατέ means to seek, grope (like a blind) one's way. We Christians understand our Lord no better even after his resurrection. We need to seek, to grope our way to know him better. Like the blind groping an elephant, we will only be able to gain a partial understanding of him at best. Grope we have to until the end of time when we will be able to see him, not in a mirror, but face to face, see him as he is (1 Corinthians 13:12). Luckily, Jesus has promised to send us the Holy Spirit to enlighten us in our understanding. We can completely rely on this Counsellor.

My sweet Jesus, the evangelists have reminded us again and again that we need to seek You after Your departure. Our relationship with You is going to be a life long journey, full of grace and truth, sins and doubts. Come, O Holy Spirit, to strengthen our feeble limbs in this journey that we may reach home safely. Amen.