Date: April 15, 2020 ()

Bible Text: First Reading: ACTS 3:1-10; Gospel: LK 24:13-35 |

Series:

The Road to Hope

I have always been informed that converts to Catholicism were drawn to faith by the Eucharist. The Eucharist is such a powerful sacrament that brings to us a real experience of Christ. The walk to Emmaus in today’s gospel reading is truly a Eucharistic experience of the two disciples. In this journey, the two important elements of the Eucharist were introduced by Jesus, namely, the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

We notice initially, Jesus exposed and explained the meaning of the scriptures to the two disciples - "Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures.” When the Lord was through with His scriptural exposition, He joined and broke bread with them. Only then they fully understood and recognized Jesus.

As soon as they recognized Him everything made sense and it kindled in them hope. Let me share to you an excerpt from a chronicle I read:
I heard a pastor once say, “On the day he defeated death, instead of celebrating in town with his friends, Jesus chose first to chase down two discouraged disciples heading down a dead-end road.” As the pastor further explained, today the town of Emmaus no longer exists, so it really was a dead end.

In my job at the Chronicle, I’ve listened to hundreds of stories from people who also were heading down dusty, dead-end, hopeless paths and then Jesus rerouted them and set them on a path of hope. Those are stories I never get tired of hearing because their stories of hope give me hope.

When the Emmaus road travelers had returned to Jerusalem to meet with the others, when Jesus appeared, He said to them, “Peace be with you.” His followers had had their hope dashed, and He restored it. He changed their sadness to joy. He gave them peace, His peace that passes all human understanding. That’s what happens when Jesus shows up.

When we’re discouraged or lost or afraid, when we run away or wander, when we take a detour, when we retreat, Jesus comes to us. He goes after us. And if Jesus goes after you, He always finds you. Always.

And gives you hope and peace.