A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke
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?”
As two of Jesus’ disciples are going to the village of Emmaus, Jesus approached them and walked with them, but they didn’t know it was the Lord. Jesus enters into their conversation about the events of the past week and hears in their voices that they are downcast and discouraged. Just as Mary saw the empty tomb, some members of the group also saw the empty tomb, but Jesus did not appear to them. Because of lack of faith, they are uncertain about what has taken place. They say, “But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel.” Not until Jesus speaks to them of the prophets and Scriptures that referred to him did they begin to recognize that this is no ordinary man. When Jesus stays with them and they eat together, they come to recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread. After Jesus vanishes from their sight, their faith in him restored, they say, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!”
God, help me understand the richness of these Easter Octave Gospel readings. Just as Jesus meets Mary Magdalene along the way, he also meets the two disciples heading toward Emmaus. In their uncertainty, as they struggle to understand what has happened in the last week, they see Jesus meeting them where they are. Their encounter with him leaves them with hope restored and faith strengthened. Your Son, the risen Christ, is no less present to me as he was to them. Help me open my eyes to him as I strive to hear your voice throughout the day. In the breaking of the bread, the disciples recognized Jesus. Through your word, through the sacraments, and through the Eucharist, grant me the grace to see the glory of your presence today and every day.
This is the day the LORD has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it. Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.