3rd Sunday of Easter
By Fr. Victor Feltes
The two Christian disciples walking to Emmaus had had a difficult week. The events of Holy Week, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday morning left them wondering and restless, not feeling utterly hopeless, but very discouraged. Jesus whom they thought was the Messiah had been killed yet now there were some reports that he was alive. He was near them, walking with them, though they could not recognize it. Showing interest and concern for them, he sees their emotions and listens to their thoughts. And then he speaks to them, enlightening them, explaining and revealing the meaning of the Scriptures and Christ’s Passion, death, and Resurrection.
With this understanding, the disciples’ faith is renewed. Their hearts burn within them with excitement and joy and they ask the guest to stay with them. Now they turn to rest and share table fellowship together. Jesus had been with them the entire time, but only once “he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them” did their eyes see him. From there his disciples go forth with renewed purpose: witnessing in the world to the Good News of Christ. This story from Easter Sunday reflects what we do here every Sunday.
We come carrying the events of the previous week, with all our thoughts and emotions. Sometimes we are questioning and restless, maybe we feel discouraged yet, because of Jesus Christ, not hopeless. We might not always recognize it, but Jesus is near and walking with us. He’s interested in our lives and concerned for our good, he’s aware of our thoughts and the emotions we have. Through the Scriptures and a homily in the Liturgy of the Word, the meaning of the events in salvation history are revealed and explained for our understanding and edification.
With hearts renewed, we re-proclaim our faith and petition our requests of God. Then we turn to share table fellowship in the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Jesus, who “took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it,” gifts himself to us anew in his Holy Eucharist. And then we go forth in peace to share the Good News as we love and serve our Lord.
Were those two disciples walking on the road to Emmaus in the right place? I can see it both ways. On one hand, they were walking away from Jerusalem and the community of Christians in the Upper Room. On the other hand, walking that road occasioned their famous encounter with Christ. I do not know the road of life which leads you to this church, but Jesus knows. He renews at Holy Mass that encounter with those disciples on the road to Emmaus with us. Every Sunday, this is the place where we are meant to be, encountering him through the revelation of the word and the breaking of the bread.
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