April 23
Third Sunday of Easter
“Lord, you will show us the path of life.”
Readings
Reflection
This week, we experience a microcosm of the journey we are on as followers of Christ. Just as in the Gospel, the two disciples go on a seven-mile journey to a place called Emmaus, we are on a lifelong journey to a different place. The main question we ask (and are asked by our Lord) is this: Are we traveling with Christ or without him? Are we aware of his presence in our lives or are we just walking blindly through the world, oblivious to the importance of Jesus in our lives?
In the first reading from the book of Acts, St Peter addresses the gathering by boldly speaking to them of the Risen Lord. He tells them that it is impossible for Christ to be held in Hades because he now has power over life and death. In the second reading, Peter instructs the people to remain faithful to Christ and to be on their guard whether they be at home or abroad. He reminds them of the tremendous ransom that was paid on their behalf, a ransom which cannot be equated with anything they or the world could ever possess. The gospel passage from St Luke recounts the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. This whole scene has the elements of a liturgy. Jesus is present in the Word which calls the journeyers to a remembering. Then there is the Eucharistic sharing as Jesus presents himself in the taking of bread, blessing it, breaking it, and giving it to his companions. With that their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. The two disciples experience one very important thing on their journey; the Grace of God.
Grace is always appearing even as we walk along in our world. We saw God’s grace on Easter Sunday with the empty tomb. We experience God’s grace in the Sacraments, such as Baptism, Eucharist, and Reconciliation. But if we walk along without a thought of this grace, we mute its effects. Let us walk with Jesus as we continue our journey through the world. Our destination will be nothing less than heaven if we keep our minds on God and his grace.
Peace,
Deacon Dare
Would you like to receive these reflections in your inbox? Subscribe to The Sunday Read newsletter.