Catholic Caucus: Sunday Mass Readings, 05-04-14, Third Sunday of Easter

USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 05-04-14 | Revised New American Bible

[Salvation]

So Jesus has used the Mass to draw them (and us) from gloom to glory, from downcast to delighted, from darkness to light, from disorientation to orientation. It was the Mass; do you “see” it there? It is the Mass. What else could it be?

BTTT!

[Salvation]

Sunday Gospel Reflections

3rd Sunday of Easter
Reading I: Acts 2:14,22-28 II: 1Peter 1:17-21

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Gospel
Luke 24:13-35

¹³ That very day two of them were going to a village named Emma'us, about seven miles from Jerusalem,
¹⁴ and talking with each other about all these things that had happened.
¹⁵ While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.
¹⁶ But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
¹⁷ And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad.
¹⁸ Then one of them, named Cle'opas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
¹⁹ And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,
²⁰ and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
²¹ But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened.
²² Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning
²³ and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.
²⁴ Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see."
²⁵ And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
²⁶ Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?"
²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
²⁸ So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further,
²⁹ but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them.
³⁰ When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them.
³¹ And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight.
³² They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?"
³³ And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them,
³⁴ who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"
³⁵ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

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Interesting Details

• Seeing and hospitality: Luke uses many visual images, such as women who saw the angels, while the disciples did not see Jesus at the tomb, etc. The restored sight (recognizing Jesus) only comes after they show hospitality and invite Jesus to stay with them.
• Jesus shares food with the disciples to signify that the Kingdom has come, because previously he has said that "I shall not eat again until there is fulfillment in the Kingdom of God" (Lk 22:16,18).
• The disciples had all the "facts": They saw Jesus' wonderful words and deeds, and they were told about the empty tomb. Yet they give up, leave Jerusalem, and cannot even recognize Jesus. Why? Because they hold on to their own and erroneous hope, namely that Jesus would "set Israel free" politically.
• Jesus was able to teach them pretty quickly because they already know the Jewish Scripture.

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One Main Point

Discipleship is a story of journey, including coming and leaving (Jerusalem), walking along, staying together, and returning.

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Reflections

1. Do I show hospitality to Jesus so that he will stay with me and open my eyes?
2. Do I have false hopes that blinds me from seeing Jesus?
3. In what direction am I walking on the journey toward discipleship?

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[Salvation]

Sunday, May 04, 2014
Third Sunday of Easter

First Reading: Psalm: Second Reading: Gospel:

Acts 2:14, 22-33 Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11 1 Peter 1:17-21 Luke 24:13-35 When you begin to study, look up to Him and think: 'O Lord, how worthless this knowledge would be, if it were not for the enlightening of my mind for Your service, or for making me more useful to my fellow men.' -- St Elizabeth Ann Seton

[Salvation]

Just A Minute (Listen) Some of EWTN's most popular hosts and guests in a collection of one minute inspirational messages. A different message each time you click.

[Salvation]

Regina Coeli

 

This prayer, which dates from the twelfth century, is substituted for the Angelus during Easter Season.

In Latin

In English

Regina coeli, laetare, alleluia: Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia. Resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia. Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.   V. Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, Alleluia, R. Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia.   Oremus: Deus qui per resurrectionem Filii tui, Domini nostri Iesu Christi, mundum laetificare dignatus es: praesta, quaesumus, ut per eius Genetricem Virginem Mariam, perpetuae capiamus gaudia vitae. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. R. Amen.

Queen of Heaven rejoice, alleluia: For He whom you merited to bear, alleluia, Has risen as He said, alleluia. Pray for us to God, alleluia.   V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. R. Because the Lord is truly risen, alleluia.   Let us pray: O God, who by the Resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, granted joy to the whole world: grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may lay hold of the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

 

[Salvation]

Information: St. Godehard of Hildesheim

Feast Day: May 4

Born: 960, Reichersdorf, Bavaria

Died: May 4, 1038

Canonized: 1131, Rheims by Innocent II

Patron of: raveling merchants; invoked against fever, dropsy, childhood sicknesses, hailstones, the pain of childbirth, and gout; invoked by those in peril of the sea

[Salvation]

Interactive Saints for Kids

Blessed Marie-Leonie Paradis

Feast Day: May 04
Born: 1840 :: Died: 1912

Elodie Paradis was born in the village of L'Acadie in Quebec, Canada. Her parents were poor but good Catholics and they loved their little girl. When Elodie was nine, her parents wanted her to have the best education they could afford, so they sent her to a boarding school. The Sisters of Notre Dame warmly received their new student but Elodie and her family missed each other very much.

Mr. Paradis had a flour mill and although he worked hard, the mill did not make enough money to support his wife and children. He heard wonderful stories about large amounts of gold that was to be found in California. He was so worried about his family that he decided to go.

But in California, Mr. Paradis did not find the wealth he hoped for. When he returned to L'Acadie, he was shocked to find that his little Elodie had joined the convent to become a nun. She had entered the Holy Cross convent on February 21, 1854.

Mr. Paradis went to the convent and he begged his daughter to return home, but she really wanted to stay there. Finally, her father agreed and she took her vows as a nun in 1857.

Blessed Marie-Leonie taught school in different cities. She prayed and lived her life joyfully. As time went on, Sister Marie-Leonie was led by Jesus to begin a new religious order in the Church. The Little Sisters of the Holy Family were begun in 1880.

These loving sisters are committed to serving and caring for priests in the household. This helps the priest to carry out their important ministries without difficulty. The Little Sisters of the Holy Family now have sixty-seven convents in Canada, the United States, Rome and Honduras.

Although Mother Marie Leonie was weak and often sick, she worked for her sisters until the last few hours of her life. But she never stopped caring for God's people. She completed the book of rules she had written to help give her sisters the guidance they would need for their life.

On Friday, May 3, 1912. Mother Marie-Leonie said she felt very tired. She went to rest and died a few hours later. She was seventy-one years old.

[annalex]

Luke
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Luke 24
13.	And behold, two of them went, the same day, to a town which was sixty furlongs from Jerusalem, named Emmaus.	Et ecce duo ex illis ibant ipsa die in castellum, quod erat in spatio stadiorum sexaginta ab Jerusalem, nomine Emmaus.	και ιδου δυο εξ αυτων ησαν πορευομενοι εν αυτη τη ημερα εις κωμην απεχουσαν σταδιους εξηκοντα απο ιερουσαλημ η ονομα εμμαους
14.	And they talked together of all these things which had happened.	Et ipsi loquebantur ad invicem de his omnibus quæ acciderant.	και αυτοι ωμιλουν προς αλληλους περι παντων των συμβεβηκοτων τουτων
15.	And it came to pass, that while they talked and reasoned with themselves, Jesus himself also drawing near, went with them.	Et factum est, dum fabularentur, et secum quærerent : et ipse Jesus appropinquans ibat cum illis :	και εγενετο εν τω ομιλειν αυτους και συζητειν και αυτος ο ιησους εγγισας συνεπορευετο αυτοις
16.	But their eyes were held, that they should not know him.	oculi autem illorum tenebantur ne eum agnoscerent.	οι δε οφθαλμοι αυτων εκρατουντο του μη επιγνωναι αυτον
17.	And he said to them: What are these discourses that you hold one with another as you walk, and are sad?	Et ait ad illos : Qui sunt hi sermones, quos confertis ad invicem ambulantes, et estis tristes ?	ειπεν δε προς αυτους τινες οι λογοι ουτοι ους αντιβαλλετε προς αλληλους περιπατουντες και εστε σκυθρωποι
18.	And the one of them, whose name was Cleophas, answering, said to him: Art thou only a stranger to Jerusalem, and hast not known the things that have been done there in these days?	Et respondens unus, cui nomen Cleophas, dixit ei : Tu solus peregrinus es in Jerusalem, et non cognovisti quæ facta sunt in illa his diebus ?	αποκριθεις δε ο εις ω ονομα κλεοπας ειπεν προς αυτον συ μονος παροικεις ιερουσαλημ και ουκ εγνως τα γενομενα εν αυτη εν ταις ημεραις ταυταις
19.	To whom he said: What things? And they said: Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet, mighty in work and word before God and all the people;	Quibus ille dixit : Quæ ? Et dixerunt : De Jesu Nazareno, qui fuit vir propheta, potens in opere et sermone coram Deo et omni populo :	και ειπεν αυτοις ποια οι δε ειπον αυτω τα περι ιησου του ναζωραιου ος εγενετο ανηρ προφητης δυνατος εν εργω και λογω εναντιον του θεου και παντος του λαου
20.	And how our chief priests and princes delivered him to be condemned to death, and crucified him.	et quomodo eum tradiderunt summi sacerdotes et principes nostri in damnationem mortis, et crucifixerunt eum :	οπως τε παρεδωκαν αυτον οι αρχιερεις και οι αρχοντες ημων εις κριμα θανατου και εσταυρωσαν αυτον
21.	But we hoped, that it was he that should have redeemed Israel: and now besides all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.	nos autem sperabamus quia ipse esset redempturus Israël : et nunc super hæc omnia, tertia dies est hodie quod hæc facta sunt.	ημεις δε ηλπιζομεν οτι αυτος εστιν ο μελλων λυτρουσθαι τον ισραηλ αλλα γε συν πασιν τουτοις τριτην ταυτην ημεραν αγει σημερον αφ ου ταυτα εγενετο
22.	Yea and certain women also of our company affrighted us, who before it was light, were at the sepulchre,	Sed et mulieres quædam ex nostris terruerunt nos, quæ ante lucem fuerunt ad monumentum,	αλλα και γυναικες τινες εξ ημων εξεστησαν ημας γενομεναι ορθριαι επι το μνημειον
23.	And not finding his body, came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who say that he is alive.	et non invento corpore ejus, venerunt, dicentes se etiam visionem angelorum vidisse, qui dicunt eum vivere.	και μη ευρουσαι το σωμα αυτου ηλθον λεγουσαι και οπτασιαν αγγελων εωρακεναι οι λεγουσιν αυτον ζην
24.	And some of our people went to the sepulchre, and found it so as the women had said, but him they found not.	Et abierunt quidam ex nostris ad monumentum : et ita invenerunt sicut mulieres dixerunt, ipsum vero non invenerunt.	και απηλθον τινες των συν ημιν επι το μνημειον και ευρον ουτως καθως και αι γυναικες ειπον αυτον δε ουκ ειδον
25.	Then he said to them: O foolish, and slow of heart to believe in all things which the prophets have spoken.	Et ipse dixit ad eos : O stulti, et tardi corde ad credendum in omnibus quæ locuti sunt prophetæ !	και αυτος ειπεν προς αυτους ω ανοητοι και βραδεις τη καρδια του πιστευειν επι πασιν οις ελαλησαν οι προφηται
26.	Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and so to enter into his glory?	Nonne hæc oportuit pati Christum, et ita intrare in gloriam suam ?	ουχι ταυτα εδει παθειν τον χριστον και εισελθειν εις την δοξαν αυτου
27.	And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the scriptures, the things that were concerning him.	Et incipiens a Moyse, et omnibus prophetis, interpretabatur illis in omnibus scripturis quæ de ipso erant.	και αρξαμενος απο μωσεως και απο παντων των προφητων διηρμηνευεν αυτοις εν πασαις ταις γραφαις τα περι εαυτου
28.	And they drew night to the town, whither they were going: and he made as though he would go farther.	Et appropinquaverunt castello quo ibant : et ipse se finxit longius ire.	και ηγγισαν εις την κωμην ου επορευοντο και αυτος προσεποιειτο πορρωτερω πορευεσθαι
29.	But they constrained him; saying: Stay with us, because it is towards evening, and the day is now far spent. And he went in with them.	Et coëgerunt illum, dicentes : Mane nobiscum, quoniam advesperascit, et inclinata est jam dies. Et intravit cum illis.	και παρεβιασαντο αυτον λεγοντες μεινον μεθ ημων οτι προς εσπεραν εστιν και κεκλικεν η ημερα και εισηλθεν του μειναι συν αυτοις
30.	And it came to pass, whilst he was at table with them, he took bread, and blessed, and brake, and gave to them.	Et factum est, dum recumberet cum eis, accepit panem, et benedixit, ac fregit, et porrigebat illis.	και εγενετο εν τω κατακλιθηναι αυτον μετ αυτων λαβων τον αρτον ευλογησεν και κλασας επεδιδου αυτοις
31.	And their eyes were opened, and they knew him: and he vanished out of their sight.	Et aperti sunt oculi eorum, et cognoverunt eum : et ipse evanuit ex oculis eorum.	αυτων δε διηνοιχθησαν οι οφθαλμοι και επεγνωσαν αυτον και αυτος αφαντος εγενετο απ αυτων
32.	And they said one to the other: Was not our heart burning within us, whilst he spoke in this way, and opened to us the scriptures?	Et dixerunt ad invicem : Nonne cor nostrum ardens erat in nobis dum loqueretur in via, et aperiret nobis Scripturas ?	και ειπον προς αλληλους ουχι η καρδια ημων καιομενη ην εν ημιν ως ελαλει ημιν εν τη οδω και ως διηνοιγεν ημιν τας γραφας
33.	And rising up, the same hour, they went back to Jerusalem: and they found the eleven gathered together, and those that were staying with them,	Et surgentes eadem hora regressi sunt in Jerusalem : et invenerunt congregatos undecim, et eos qui cum illis erant,	και ανασταντες αυτη τη ωρα υπεστρεψαν εις ιερουσαλημ και ευρον συνηθροισμενους τους ενδεκα και τους συν αυτοις
34.	Saying: The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.	dicentes : Quod surrexit Dominus vere, et apparuit Simoni.	λεγοντας οτι ηγερθη ο κυριος οντως και ωφθη σιμωνι
35.	And they told what things were done in the way; and how they knew him in the breaking of the bread.	Et ipsi narrabant quæ gesta erant in via, et quomodo cognoverunt eum in fractione panis.	και αυτοι εξηγουντο τα εν τη οδω και ως εγνωσθη αυτοις εν τη κλασει του αρτου

[annalex]

13. And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
14. And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
16. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
17. And he said to them, What manner of communications are these that you have one to another, as you walk, and are sad?
18. And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said to him, Are you only a stranger in Jerusalem, and have not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?
19. And he said to them, What things? And they said to him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
20. And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
21. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done.
22. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulcher;
23. And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
24. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulcher, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.

GLOSS. After the manifestation of Christ's resurrection made by the Angels to the women, the same resurrection is further manifested by an appearance of Christ Himself to His disciples; as it is said, And behold two of them.

THEOPHYL. Some say that Luke was one of these two, and for this reason concealed his name.

AMBROSE; Or to two of the disciples by themselves our Lord showed Himself in the evening, namely, Ammaon and Cleophas.

AUG. The fortress mentioned here we may not unreasonably take to have been also called according to Mark, a village. He next describes the fortress, saying, which was from Jerusalem about the space of sixty stades, called Emmaus.

BEDE; It is the same as Nicopolis, a remarkable town in Palestine, which after the taking of Judea under the Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antonius, changed together with its condition its name also. But the stadium which, as the Greeks say, was invented by Hercules to measure the distances of roads, is the eighth part of a mile; therefore sixty stades are equal to seven miles and fifty paces. And this was the length of journey which they were walking, who were certain about our Lord's death and burial, but doubtful concerning His resurrection. For the resurrection which took place after the seventh day of the week, no one doubts is implied in the number eight. The disciples therefore as the, walk and converse about the Lord had completed the sixth mile of their journey, for they were grieving that He who had lived without blame, had come at length even to death, which He underwent on the sixth day. They had completed also the seventh mile, for they doubted not that He rested in the grave. But of the eighth mile they had only accomplished half; for the glory of His already triumphant resurrection, they did not believe perfectly.

THEOPHYL. But the disciples above mentioned talked to one another of the things which had happened, not as believing them, but as bewildered at events so extraordinary.

BEDE; And as they spoke of Him, the Lord comes near and joins them, that He may both influence their minds with faith in His resurrection, and fulfill that which He had promised, Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there, am I in the midst of them; as it follows, And it came to pass while they communed to-tether and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.

THEOPHYL. For having now obtained a spiritual body, distance of place is no obstacle to His being present to whom he wished, nor did He any further govern His body by natural laws, but spiritually and supernaturally. Hence as Mark says, He appeared to them in a different form, in which they were not permitted to know Him; for it follows, And their eyes were holden that they should not know him; in order truly that they may reveal their entirely doubtful conceptions, and uncovering their wound may receive a cure; and that they might know that although the same body which suffered, rose again, yet it was no longer such as to be visible to all, but only to those by whom He willed it to be seen; and that they should not wonder why henceforth He walks not among the people, seeing that His conversation was not fit for mankind, but rather divine; which is also the character of the resurrection to come, in which we shall walk as the Angels and the sons of God.

GREG. Rightly also he refrained from manifesting to them a form which they might recognize, doing that outwardly in the eyes of the body, which was done by themselves inwardly in tile eyes of the mind. For they in themselves inwardly both loved and doubted. Therefore to them as they talked of Him He exhibited His presence, but as they doubted of Him He concealed the appearance which they knew. He indeed conversed with them, for it follows, And he said to them, What manner of communications, &c.

GREEK EX. They were in truth discoursing among themselves, no longer expecting to see Christ alive, but sorrowing as concerning their Savior slain. Hence it follows, And one of them whose name was Cleophas, answering him said, Are you only a stranger?

THEOPHYL. As if he said, "Are you a mere stranger, and one dwelling beyond the confines of Jerusalem, and therefore unacquainted with what has happened in the midst of it, that you know not these things;

BEDE; Or he says this, because they thought Him a stranger, whose countenance they did not recognize. But in reality He was a stranger to them, from the infirmity of whose natures, now that He had obtained the glory of the resurrection, He was far removed, and to whose faith, as yet ignorant of His resurrection, He remained foreign. But again the Lord asks; for it follows, And he said to them, What things? And their answer is given, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet. They confess Him to be a Prophet, but say nothing of the Son of God; either not yet perfectly believing, or fearful of falling into the hands of the persecuting Jews, either knowing not who He was, or concealing the truth which they believed. They add in praise of Him, mighty in deed and word.

THEOPHYL. First comes deed, then word; for no word of teaching is approved unless first he who teaches shows himself to be a doer thereof. For acting goes before sight; for unless by your works you have cleansed the glass of the understanding, the desired brightness does not appear. But still further it is added, Before God and all the people. For first of all we must please God, and then have regard as far as we can to honesty before men, that placing the honor of God first, we may live without offense to mankind.

GREEK EX. They next assign the cause of their sadness, the betrayal and passion of Christ; and add in the voice of despair, But we hoped it had been he who should trace redeemed Israel. We hoped, (he says,) not we hope; as if the death of the Lord were like to the deaths of other men.

THEOPHYL. For they expected that Christ would redeem Israel from the evils that were rising up among them and the Roman slavery. They trusted also that He was an earthly king, whom they thought would be able to escape the sentence of death passed upon Him.

BEDE; Reason had they then for sorrow, because in some sort they blamed themselves for having hoped redemption in Him whom now they saw dead, and believed not that He would rise again, and most of all they bewailed Him put to death without a cause, whom they knew to be innocent.

THEOPHYL. And yet those men seem not to have been altogether without faith, by what follows, And besides all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Whereby they seem to have a recollection of what the Lord had told them that He would rise again on the third day.

GREEK EX. The disciples also mention the report of the resurrection which was brought by the women; adding, Yes, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, &c. They say this indeed as if they did not believe it; wherefore they speak of themselves as frightened or astonished.

For they did consider as established what was told them, or that there had been an angelic revelation, but derived from it reason for astonishment and alarm. The testimony of Peter also they did not regard as certain, since he did not say that he had seen our Lord, but conjectured His resurrection from the fact that His body was not lying in the sepulcher.

Hence it follows, And certain of them that were with us went, &c.

AUG. But since Luke has said that Peter ran to the sepulcher; and has himself related the words of Cleophas, that some of them went to the sepulcher, he is understood to confirm the testimony of John, that two went to the sepulcher. He first mentioned Peter only, because to him first Mary had related the news.


25. Then he said to them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
26. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
27. And beginning at Moses and all the prophets he expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28. And they drew nigh to the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
29. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
30. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and broke, and gave to them.
31. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
32. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?
33. And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
34. Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.
35. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

THEOPHYL. Because the above-mentioned disciples were troubled with too much doubt, the Lord reproves them, saying, O fools, (for they almost used the same words as those who stood by the cross, He saved others, himself he cannot save.) And He proceeds, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. For it is possible to believe some of these things and not all; as if a man should believe what the Prophets say of the cross of Christ, as in the Psalms, They pierced my hands and my feet; but should not believe what they say of the resurrection, as, You shall not suffer your Holy One to see corruption. But it becomes us in all things to give faith to the Prophets, as well in the glorious things which they predicted of Christ, as the inglorious, since through the suffering of evil things is the entrance into glory.

Hence it follows, Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and so to enter into his glory? that is, as respects His humanity.

ISID. PEL. But although it behooved Christ to suffer, yet they who crucified Him are guilty of inflicting the punishment. For they were not concerned to accomplish what God purposed. Therefore their execution of it was impious, but God's purpose most wise, who converted their iniquity into a blessing upon mankind, using as it were the viper's flesh for the working of a health-giving antidote.

CHRYS. And therefore our Lord goes on to show that all these things did not happen in a common way, but from the predestined purpose of God. Hence it follows, And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, he expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself: As if He said, Since you are slow I will render you quick, by explaining to you the mysteries of the Scriptures. For the sacrifice of Abraham, when releasing Isaac he sacrificed the ram, prefigured Christ's sacrifice. But in the other writings of the Prophets also there are scattered about mysteries of Christ's cross and the resurrection.

BEDE; But if Moses and the Prophets spoke of Christ, and prophesied that through His Passion He would enter into glory, how does that man boast that he is a Christian. who neither searches how these Scriptures relate to Christ, nor desires to attain by suffering to that glory which he hopes to have with Christ.

GREEK EX. But since the Evangelist said before, Their eyes were holden that they should not know him, until the words, of the Lord should move their minds to faith, He fitly affords in addition to their hearing a favorable object to their sight As it follows, And they drew night to the fortress whither they were going, and he feigned as if he was going further.

AUG. Now this relates not to falsehood. For not every thing we feign is a falsehood, but only when we feign that which means nothing. But when our feigning has reference to a certain meaning it is not a falsehood, but a kind of figure of the truth. Otherwise all the things figuratively spoken by wise and holy men, or even by our Lord Himself must be accounted falsehoods. For to the experienced understanding truth consists not in certain words, but as words so also deeds are feigned without falsehood to signify a particular thing.

GREG. Because then He was still a stranger to faith in their hearts, He feigned as if he would go further. By the word "fingere" we mean to put together or form, and hence formers or preparers of mud we call "figuli." He who was the Truth itself did nothing then by deceit, but exhibited Himself in the body such as He came before them in their minds. But because they could not be strangers to charity, with whom charity was walking, they invite Him as if a stranger to partake of their hospitality.

Hence it follows, And they compelled him. From which example it is gathered that strangers are not only to be invited to hospitality, but even to be taken by force.

GLOSS. They not only compel Him by their actions, but induce Him by their words; for it follows, saying, Abide with us, for it is towards evening, and the day is far gone, (that is, towards its close.)

GREG. Now behold Christ since He is received through His members, so He seeks His receivers through Himself; for it follows, And he went in with them.

They lay out a table, they bring food. And God whom they had not known in the expounding of Scriptures, they knew in the breaking of bread; for it follows, And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and broke, and gave it to them.

And their eyes were opened, and they knew him.

CHRYS. This was said not of their bodily eyes, but of their mental sight.

AUG. For they walked not with their eyes shut, but there was something within them which did not permit them to know that which they saw, which a mist, darkness, or some kind of moisture, frequently occasions. Not that the Lord was not able to transform His flesh that it should be really a different form from that which they were accustomed to behold; since in truth also before His passion, He was transfigured in the mount, so that His face was bright as the sun. But it was not so now. For we do not unfitly take this obstacle in the sight to have been caused by Satan, that Jesus might not be known. But still it was so permitted by Christ up to the sacrament of the bread, that by partaking of the unity of His body, the obstacle of the enemy might be understood to be removed, so that Christ might be known.

THEOPHYL. But He also implies another thing, that the eyes of those who receive the sacred bread are opened that they should know Christ. For the Lord's flesh has in it a great and ineffable power.

AUG. Or because the Lord feigned as if He would go farther, when He was accompanying the disciples, expounding to them the sacred Scriptures, who knew not whether it was He, what does He mean to imply but that through the duty of hospitality men may arrive at a knowledge of Him; that when He has departed from mankind far above the heavens, He is still with those who perform this duty to His servants. He therefore holds to Christ, that He should not go far from him, whoever being taught in the word communicates in all good things to him who teaches. For they were taught in the word when He expounded to them the Scriptures. And because they followed hospitality, Him whom they knew not in the expounding of the Scriptures, they know in the breaking of bread. For not the hearers of the law are just before God but the doers of the law shall be justified.

GREG. Whoever then wishes to understand what he has heard, let him hasten to fulfill in work what he can now understand. Behold the Lord was not known when He was speaking, and He vouchsafed to be known when He is eating. It follows, And he vanished out of their sight.

THEOPHYL. For He had not such a body as that He was able to abide longer with them, that thereby likewise He might increase their affections. And they said one to another, Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

ORIGEN; By which is implied, that the words uttered by the Savior inflamed the hearts of the hearers to the love of God.

GREG. By the word which is heard the spirit is kindled the chill of dullness departs, the mind becomes awakened with heavenly desire. It rejoices to hear heavenly precepts, and every command in which it is instructed, is as it were adding a faggot to the fire.

THEOPHYL. Their hearts then were turned either by the fire of our Lord's words, to which they listened as the truth, or because as he expounded the Scriptures, their hearts were greatly struck within them, that He who was speaking was the Lord. Therefore were they so rejoiced, that without delay they returned to Jerusalem. And hence what follows, And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem. They rose up indeed the same hour, but they arrived after many hours, as they had to travel sixty stades.

AUG. It had been already reported that Jesus had risen by the women, and by Simon Peter, to whom He had appeared. For these two disciples found them talking of these things when they came to Jerusalem; as it follows, And they found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them., saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.

BEDE; It seems that our Lord appeared to Peter first of all those whom the four Evangelists and the Apostle mention.

CHRYS. For He did not show Himself to all at the same time, in order that He might sow the seeds of faith. For he who had first seen and was sure, told it to the rest. Afterwards the word going forth prepared the mind of the hearer for the sight, and therefore He appeared first to him who was of all the most worthy and faithful. For He had need of the most faithful soul to first receive this sight, that it might be least disturbed by the unexpected appearance. And therefore He is first seen by Peter, that he who first confessed Christ should first deserve to see His resurrection, and also because he had denied Him He wished to see him first, to console him, lest he should despair. But after Peter, He appeared to the rest, at one time fewer in number, at another more, which the two disciples attest; for it follows, And they told what things were done by the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

AUG. But with respect to what Mark says, that they told the rest, and they did not believe them, whereas Luke says, that they had already begun to say, The Lord is risen indeed, what must we understand, except that there were some even then who refused to believe this?

Catena Aurea Luke 24

[annalex]

Road to Emmaus

Duccio di Buoninsegna

1308-11
Tempera on wood, 51 x 57 cm
Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Siena

[annalex]

The Supper at Emmaus

Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velázquez.

c. 1620
Oil on canvas, 123.2 x 132.7 cm
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

[annalex]

Supper at Emmaus

Caravaggio

1601
Oil on canvas, 141 x 196 cm
National Gallery, London

[Salvation]

CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Sunday, May 4

Liturgical Color: White

Today the Church honors St John Houghton,
priest, and one of the Martyrs of England.
John was one of the first English Catholics
killed for refusing to sign King Henry VIII’s
Act of Supremacy which made the king
supreme head of the Church of England.

[Salvation]

Catholic Culture

 

Daily Readings for:May 04, 2014
(Readings on USCCB website)

Collect: May your people exult for ever, O God, in renewed youthfulness of spirit, so that, rejoicing now in the restored glory of our adoption, we may look forward in confident hope to the rejoicing of the day of resurrection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

RECIPES

o    Cool Sunday Dinner Sample Menu

ACTIVITIES

o    Easter Marian Hymn: Rejoice, O Rejoice, Heavenly Queen

o    Easter Prayer Practices

PRAYERS

o    Easter Season II Table Blessing 3

o    Book of Blessings: Blessing Before and After Meals: Easter Season (2nd Plan)

o    Prayers for the Easter Season

o    Book of Blessings: Blessing Before and After Meals: Easter (1st Plan)

·         Easter: May 4th

·         Third Sunday of Easter

Old Calendar: Second Sunday after Easter

When they drew near to the village to which they were going, He appeared to be going further; but they pressed Him to stay with them. "It is nearly evening," they said, "and the day is almost over." So He went in to stay with them. Now while He was with them at table, He took the bread and said the blessing; then He broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; but He had vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?"

Click here for commentary on the readings in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

---

Sunday Readings
The first reading is taken from the Acts of the Apostles 2:14, 22-33 and concerns bearing witness to the "name" of Jesus, and the implications which this witnessing necessarily brings with it. Peter and the apostles answered their inquisitors by stating firmly their faith in Christ, and the lesson ends with reference to their joy at having been found worthy to endure trials for the name of Christ. — A Celebrants Guide to the New Sacramentary - A Cycle by Kevin W. Irwin

The second reading is from the first Letter of Peter 1:17-21. St. Peter says that we are sons of God because of his infinite mercy in sending Christ to us as our brother. So we can rightly call God our "Father." But we must behave as true, loyal sons, during our "time of exile" on this earth, for our merciful Father is also the absolutely just God who will judge each one of us "impartially according to our deeds" when we lay down our earthly life. — A Guide to the Eucharist and Hours - Lent by Kevin W. Irwin

The Gospel is from St. Luke 24:13-35. It is the first day of the week after the great Jewish feast of the Passover and Jerusalem is trying to return to its normal routine. The shop keepers count their profits and the Temple priests congratulate themselves because they were able to kill the ‘Galilean’. For the disciples and those who were ‘foreigners’ in Jerusalem, it is time to start to return to their own homes and their normal lives.

Curtains were closed and lights were dimmed not only due to the celebration of Jerusalem’s solemn festival but also because everyone had hope that the man Jesus ‘would be the One to redeem Israel’ (Lk 24:21). The two disciples from Emmaus are to be found, along their journey, talking to ‘Jesus in person’, ‘but their eyes were prevented from recognising Him’ (Lk 24:16).

Why did the Lord not tell the disciples straight away who He was? Indeed, in the dialogue that the liturgy presents to us today, it almost seems that Jesus did all He could to avoid revealing His true identity. Firstly, He pretended not to know what Cleopas and his companion were discussing and then He went on to ‘explain to them the passages throughout scriptures that were about Himself’ (Lk 24:27) but without making direct reference to Himself.

At the end of the journey, ‘He made to go on’ (Lk 24:28). Jesus didn’t want to play games with His disciples, but He sought to educate their hearts, and also ours, so that we won’t be ‘slow’! In fact, when faced with the Lord’s Presence, we find that the heart quickly ‘burns’ upon hearing His words as we are grateful of the fact that we were freed not by ‘gold and silver but by the precious blood of Christ’ who is the ‘blameless and spotless’ lamb (Cfr. 1 Pet 1:19).

The Risen Lord uses so much gentleness with us! He doesn’t oblige us to ‘believe’ but He offers us the instruments that enable us to judge based on the infallible measure of our own hearts. As St Augustine extraordinarily wrote in the opening of his Confessions ‘our heart is restless until it rests in you’ (St. Augustine, Conf. 1,1,1:PL 32,659-661)

There is still one more detail that calls for our attention and raises many questions: why did the eyes of the disciples open to recognise Jesus whilst they were at table with Him? The Eucharistic context is undeniable. The disciples are at table, the Lord is with them; He took the bread and saying the prayer of benediction, broke it. It was during the last action of the breaking of the bread that the companions recognised Jesus. It was not only the action in itself but finally Cleopas and his friends could see, with their own eyes, the hands pierced by the nails of the passion that until that very movement had remained hidden from them during the long journey on the road.

It was in that very moment in which they recognised the presence of the Crucified One, that He ‘disappeared from their sight’ whilst their eyes remained fixed on the broken bread, that was left to fall ‘onto the altar’. Is it not the same experience that every one of us can have every Sunday?

So, ‘they set out that instant’ (Lk 24:33). They started to understand that death is not the last word on the life of each one of us as we can not be ‘held in its power’ (Acts 2:24). This is a sign of great hope that gives us irreprehensible joy! In so much as we journey to Jerusalem — each on his own road, it must often seem long and tiring. However, now with our eyes fully opened it appears that we have the privilege to say to all the world, ‘the Lord has indeed risen’ (Lk 24:34).

From the Congregation for the Clergy

[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Luke 24:13-35

3rd Sunday of Easter

Were not our hearts burning? (Luke 24:32)

Great writers have a knack for conveying deep, lasting truths in just a few words. This is the kind of artistry that we find in today’s Gospel. In telling the story of two people who meet the Lord on the road to Emmaus, St. Luke also tells us about the transforming power of the Mass.

Cleopas and another disciple were heading home sad because Jesus had been crucified (Luke 24:17-18). They still held out some hope because Mary Magdalene had told them about an empty tomb, but it doesn’t seem to have been enough for them. When Jesus met them on the road but concealed his identity, they shared their doubts with him. In response, he told them the story of salvation—and their hearts began to burn. Then at dinner, when Jesus blessed and broke the bread, “their eyes were opened and they recognized him” (24:31). With their faith restored, the disciples turned around and hurried back to Jerusalem so that they could tell the others what had happened.

Over and over, we hear about people who have stopped going to Mass because they don’t feel that they get anything out of it. Often, however, this happens when the outer “form” of the Mass—the quality of the music, the appearance of the church, the various words and gestures of the liturgy—becomes more important than the inner “substance” of what is actually going on.

Form is when we say, “I confess.” Substance is our experience of God washing us clean. Form is the lector proclaiming the readings. Substance is God’s word coming alive in our hearts. Form is our act of receiving Communion. Substance is our openness to God and his power to fill our hearts. Substance moves us to change our lives and to share the good news about Jesus with our neighbors.

In short, form focuses more on what we do, but substance focuses on who we are meeting.

“Lord, let me see you at Mass today. May I never settle for less than everything that you want to give me!”

Acts 2:14, 22-33; Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11; 1 Peter 1:17-21

Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion

(Acts 2:1-14,22-33; Psalm 16:1-2,5,7-11; 1 Peter 1:17-21; Luke 24:13-35)

1. In the first reading from Acts, Peter gives a powerful proclamation of the Gospel message in such a way that the listeners are “cut to the heart” (Acts 2:37). Where did Peter, in spite of being an uneducated fisherman, get such a gift? (Hint: Peter gives the answer in Acts 2:33.) If we believe that we as baptized Catholics have the ability to proclaim the Gospel through the power of the Spirit that dwells in us, what keeps us from sharing it with others? How can you overcome some of these obstacles?

2. Notice in the responsorial psalm, how the psalmist keeps his mind and heart fixed on the Lord (“I set the Lord ever before me”) and the fruit of it (”with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed”). What steps can you take to turn to the Lord more often during the day, even in the midst of your busyness?

3. In the second reading from 1 Peter, we are reminded to “conduct yourself with reverence” because “you were ransomed from your futile conduct . . . with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:17-19). Do you believe that reflecting more on what Jesus accomplished by shedding his blood on the cross for you can impact how you live out your day? Why or why not? Any examples?

4. The Gospel reading describes the Emmaus Road encounter with Jesus by two of his disciples. Why do you think they did not recognize Jesus until “the breaking of bread” (an early Church term for the Eucharist)?

5. Are you willing to spend time just prior to the start of Mass reading and reflecting on the Mass readings? If not, why not? Perhaps if you do, like the Emmaus Road disciples, your heart will burn as the Scriptures are read and explained at Mass.

6. The meditation speaks of the outer “form” of the Mass and the inner “substance” of the Mass. How would you describe the difference between these? Why is it critical to not let the outer form become more important than the inner substance of the Mass?

7. Take some time now and pray that at Mass, you would experience more deeply God’s transforming power. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.

[Salvation]

A Christian Pilgrim

HOW CAN WE COME TO SEE JESUS IN THE EUCHARIST?

(A biblical reflection on THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER [YEAR A], 4 May 2014)

Gospel Reading: Luke 24:13-35

First Reading: Acts 2:14,22-33; Psalms: Psalm 16:1-2,7-11; Second Reading: 1Peter 1:17-21

The Scripture Text
That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. And He said to them, “What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, name Cleopas, answered Him, “Are You the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, ‘Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we had hoped that He was the One to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find His body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.” And He said to them, “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself.

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So He went in to stay with them. When He was at table with them, He took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of the bread. (Lk 24:13-35 RSV)

Have you ever had an experience at Mass when you felt very close to Jesus – almost as if He were sitting right next to you? Your mind is focused, your body is relaxed, and your heart is burning with love for Jesus. At times like these, everything is put in its proper perspective and you are convinced that God is in control of every situation.

Cleopas and his friend experienced something like this on the road to Emmaus, and their story has become a classic illustration of what we can all receive when we celebrate Mass. Just as these two disciples’ hearts burned when Jesus explained Scripture to them, our hearts can be set on fire as we hear the Scriptures proclaimed. Then we are ready for Jesus to reveal Himself to us in the breaking of the bread during Holy Communion.

So how can we come to see Jesus in the Eucharist? Probably one of the best ways is by reading Scripture. In the early Church, the Eucharistic celebration lasted a few hours, allowing plenty of time for Scripture, for fellowship, and for prayerful worship after Communion. Today, however, most Masses last about an hour. We can lament the fact that we do not stay together for a longer period of time – maybe studying Scripture together or spending more time in adoration after Communion. Or we can try to overcome these constraints by preparing ourselves before Mass.

One very effective way is to carve out some time Saturday evening or early Sunday morning to ponder the Scripture passages that will be read at Mass. Begin by asking the Holy Spirit to open your heart to His revelation. Read the passages slowly and prayerfully. You may even want to take a look at a good commentary or study guide to help you unpack the readings. Then, after a time of study and mediation, simply ask Jesus to shower His love upon you so that you will be ready to see Him and love Him more fully at Mass. Remember that Jesus is always eager to speak to your heart. He is just waiting for you to come to Him!

Short Prayer:Lord Jesus, I want to know You more deeply. I want to hear Your voice in Scripture. I want to see Your face in the bread and wine of the Eucharist. Come and show me your ways so that I may have life. Amen.

[Salvation]

A Christian Pilgrim

WHERE CAN WE FIND JESUS?

(A biblical reflection on THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER [YEAR A], 4 May 2014)

First Reading: Acts 2:14,22-33; Psalms: Psalm 16:1-2,7-11; Second Reading: 1Peter 1:17-21; Gospel Reading: Luke 24:13-35

The Eleven were assembled in their old familiar meeting place in Jerusalem, wondering among themselves: “Where’s Jesus?” The women who had gone to the tomb before dawn and failed to find Him, asked in their puzzlement: “Where’s Jesus?” The two travelers on the road to the little town of Emmaus were engaged in asking: “Where’s Jesus?” When we sincerely pray and the prayer seems to return empty, like a hollow echo; when we hurt and beg for help but are not healed, we cry out: “Where’s Jesus?”

Today’s Gospel reading asks that same intriguing question and provides an exciting answer. It’s a classic story which can be read dozens of times and still provide new insights into the age-old search for Jesus.

The Lord walks with us seven days a week, as surely as He walked the seven miles to Emmaus, with Cleopas and his unnamed companion. Even though we don’t invite Jesus to walk with us, He still runs to our side and joins us for the journey – whether for seven miles, seven days or seventy years. He walks with us and talks with us and tells us of His love. If only we could recognize Him!

We can’t find Jesus by returning to the places where He used to be, as the apostles went to the meeting room and the women went to the grave site. The tomb is empty and the Lord is on the road again, right where we are. He predicted that where two or more are gathered in His name, we should expect His presence. For that reason, we dare not ignore the stranger in our midst.

When we have traveled with Him a mile a day, at the end of the seventh day we invite Him to eucharistically stay with us, for evening is at hand and we want His security and light to dispel the darkness.

There is so very much we don’t know about the Lord; but as we gather around His table at the end of seven miles, we can watch Him take, bless, break and give Himself to us. He is our spiritual strength for the next mile and for every step of the journey ahead. It’s His unique way of staying and sharing our company even though we might think He is far away. Each time we receive His glorified body in Holy Communion, our minds are opened to more deeply appreciate His marvellous revelations. Repeatedly He vanishes into the Bread and the Bread vanishes into our lives to make us like Him.

We, in turn, can become the mysterious Stranger, giving courage to the doubtful, that their hearts will burn with love and that, rising up, they will walk through the night and find their way back home.

So where can we find Jesus? On the road, in deeds of kindness, in believing hearts, in the words of Scripture and in the breaking of the Bread.

Source: Rev. James McKarns, GO TELL EVERYONE, Makati, Philippines: St. Paul Publications, 1991, pages 27-29

[Salvation]

Marriage=One Man and One Woman 'Til Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for May 4, 2014:

Stay with us,” they implored Jesus on the road to Emmaus. They sensed something special about him, something they needed. Married couples too need Jesus’ presence. Have you asked him lately, “Stay with us. Come into our home”? If not, try it today.

[Salvation]

Sunday Scripture Study

Third Sunday of Easter - Cycle A

May 4, 2014

Click here for USCCB readings

Opening Prayer  

First Reading: Acts 2:14,22-33

Psalm: 16:1-2,5,7-11

Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:17-21 

Gospel Reading: Luke 24:13-35

• Today’s gospel takes place on Easter Sunday (as do all the resurrection appearances of Jesus that are dated in the gospels), after the appearance of Jesus to the women at the tomb (Mark 16:1-8; John 20:11-18).

• Two of Jesus’ disciples are making their way to a town called Emmaus. One of the disciples who is named, Cleopas, is thought to be the brother of Jesus’ foster-father, St. Joseph (John 19:25). Both may have been members of “the 72” sent out on mission by Jesus in Luke 10:1.

• Jesus, who at first conceals his identity from them, finds them disconsolate at having their hopes dashed at recent events. That they misunderstood Jesus’ person and mission is evident by their referring to him as merely a “prophet” (verse 19).

• Jesus chides them for being “slow of heart” to understand him and proceeds to lead them through salvation history, showing how his whole life was foreordained by the Old Testament. It isn’t until Jesus reveals himself in the Eucharist, however, that they truly know him for who he is.

 

QUESTIONS:

• The 1st Reading is from the first sermon preached by the Church after Pentecost (fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus). What is the main message of the sermon, especially verses 22-33? What can we learn from the confidence with which the Apostles spoke the message?

• According to St. Peter in the 2nd Reading, what makes it possible to place our trust in God (verse 21)?

• In the Gospel Reading, what are the disciples talking about as they walk (see verses 19-24)? What tones of voice do you hear? What hopes are dashed? What plans might they be making? How do they react to the “stranger”?

• What Old Testament passages might the “stranger” have discussed with them in verses 25-27? Why did Jesus do a roundabout Bible study rather than just reveal his identity directly? Why did Jesus act as if he were going further?

• Where is your “road to Emmaus”—the place where Jesus surprised you recently? What happened? Did you urge him to stay? Why or why not?

• How well do you think you can explain the life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the way a person can come to know him? Who could you communicate these truths with today?

 

Closing Prayer

Catechism of the Catholic Church:  §§ 572, 601, 640-645, 659, 1166, 1329, 2625

 

Do not think of the bread and wine as mere bread and wine for they constitute the body and blood of Christ by the Lord’s own declaration. For even if your sense experience suggests this to you, let your faith rather confirm it for you.   -St. Cyril of Jerusalem

[Salvation]

On the Road to Emmaus with Jesus

Pastor’s Column

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

May 4, 2014

 

“…and while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.” (from Matthew 24:13-35)

Two dejected disciples are walking home from Jerusalem, having just witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus, when the Lord himself came up from behind. He appeared to catch up with them and walk beside them, though he went unrecognized at first.

Who among us would not wish to have been these disciples at this moment, where he opens the scriptures for us and explains the mysteries of our lives? Jesus walks along side of us, though unrecognized at first. This is also a description of each individual Christian on the road of life.

Didn’t Christ tell us that, until he comes again, he would be with us always? How many times have we not realized that the Lord walks beside us because we are not expecting him to appear as he does? In the guidance, kindness, support, or coincidences we receive, in the people of need we encounter, our life’s mission, our families, our sufferings and joys, our sorrows, the people in our lives we are called to serve: Christ walks beside us through it all.

Jesus walks along side of us. At the end of our lives, the Lord will walk with us and explain the whole path we have followed in our lives, and the meaning of each individual event. He will say to us, “I was here, and here and here! I was the one who gave you this insight. I was present when you were hurting and I sent this person to help you. Here is where I wished you to be my ambassador.” All will be clear to us then as he opens the scriptures and explains our lives to us. For all of us are on the road to Emmaus.

There are times in our lives when it will seem obvious that Jesus has been beside us and other times when he will appear to be quite distant, but all of this is for our benefit: that we might grow in faith. At other times we are given the grace of an intense realization of God in the moment. The disciples at Emmaus did not always have Christ so close as to openly converse with him, but you can bet they never forgot this particular journey either! Why wait until the last day to have this conversation with Christ?

The church encourages each of us to take a few minutes each day to have an examination of conscience. Place yourself in your imagination in some beautiful location that is special to you, like a beach or a mountain trail, where you can walk alone with Jesus. Speak to him about how your day has gone. Ask him again to explain how your choices today looked to him. “Where could I have done better, Lord?” “Where did I glorify you?” “Where did you come to me in disguise?” “How can I recognize you better tomorrow, Lord?”

                                    Father Gary