That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.
He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread. (Luke 24:13-35)
The Gospel Reading for this Third Sunday of Easter recalls the unexpected encounter between the Risen Jesus Christ and two of his disciples. When Jesus joins them on the road, they do not recognize Him. They take Him for a stranger who is unacquainted with all that has happened in the last few days.
Jesus Christ chides them for their lack of belief and understanding. Then patiently He explains all that has happened and shows them how recent events have fulfilled the Scriptures.
The two disciples then invite Him to join them for dinner and it is within the context of the dinner that they recognize Jesus.
St. Luke, recalling the scene, records the precise words which Jesus used at the Last Supper.
The two disciples now know that their guest is truly Jesus of Nazareth. This, then, is one of the ways that we, too, recognize Jesus Christ: His Real Presence, His Body and Blood, His Soul and Divinity, in the Holy Eucharist.
This gospel Reading from Saint Luke invites us to reflect, once again, on the belief of the Church in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the consecrated Host.
We, too, you and I, see the Risen Lord. We recognize Him when the Priest says the words of Consecration: “This is my Body . . . This is my Blood.”
May we take the opportunity during this Easter Season to thank the Risen Jesus Christ for this inestimable Gift.
Amen.
Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Father John Healey, of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Nashua, New Hampshire, has served as a chaplain at Thomas More College for over three decades. During that time, he has administered sacraments, given wise counsel, and served as an example of joyful fidelity to the teachings of the Church and the person of Christ.
