Commentary on the Gospel of
Read: The first reading is a capsule of Peter’s Pentecost speech to the visitors from many nations who had converged on Jerusalem for the feast. The Letter of Peter reminds us that Jesus’ death offers salvation to all people. The Gospel recounts the disciples’ encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus.
Reflect: The Gospel today presents a short course in evangelization. Jesus meets the disciples as they travel and begins a discussion with them about what they have experienced. Jesus then helps them to understand their experience in light of Scripture, reflecting on what God is doing in their lives. Finally, Jesus brings them together at the table and they recognize him in the breaking of the bread.
We are called to follow this example, reaching out without prejudice or distinction, without regard to race, class, or other division. We meet people where they are, walking alongside them on their journey through the challenges of life, sharing with them insights from Scripture and Church teaching, helping them to become aware of God’s action in their lives. Hopefully, they will come to unity with Christ in his Body, the Church, around the Eucharistic table.
Pray: Lord, help me to share your Gospel with those I meet.
Act: Extend an invitation to participate in Mass or another event at your church.
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In today's Gospel,the two walkers on the road to Emmaus represent one of the most beautiful scenes of the apparition narratives.
The Word and the Eucharist are two privileged places where Jesus is found, where we can meet him, like the disciples of Emmaus, and where we, like them, may have felt encouraged after an attentive reading of the Word of the Lord. The evangelist reminds us of another way in which Jesus is present: in the gesture of the Eucharist. The two disciples, on the way to Emmaus, recognised him in his hands, in the gestures of taking bread, breaking it and sharing it out. We too can recognise him in these gestures, even if we have not seen him with our own eyes or touched him with our own hands.
Those of us who frequently share the Eucharist cannot be insensitive to the needs of our brothers and sisters, but we must commit ourselves to build together, through our works, a commitment to help those most in need. In fact, the Eucharist, which means thanksgiving, should make us understand the need for gratitude, which leads us to understand that there is more joy in giving than in receiving. Any Gospel story of today with our experience, of most Christians, is pure coincidence. We Christians are very poor if we forget that we must fundamentally live an encounter with Christ and with our brothers and sisters in the faith; if our Eucharist is not lived from this perspective, it will be routine and will serve no purpose. Because the Sunday Eucharist must help us, and give us encouragement and strength for the whole week.
We, as disciples, must not keep so much joy and gladness to ourselves, we must speak and be witnesses of the Resurrection.
The joy of knowing that Christ is risen and that he is with us, we have to spread it all over the world. What happened with the disciples is what we are celebrating now, as we go on our way through life and meet Him through His Word and the Eucharist. Let us say to Him: "Stay with us" (Lk.24,29)._______________________________________________________________
PRAYER: Lord, grant that we may find you in those who reach out to us to encourage us when we feel sad and weak.
ACTION: There are many burned out people who need a good companion for the journey. If you meet one, do not move on.
"HAPPY EASTER SUNDAY TO ALL "
