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Message from the desk of the Pastor:

THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

Sunday, April 19, 2026

Gospel Reading 

Luke 24:13-35

Jesus appears to two disciples who are walking to Emmaus.

Background on the Gospel Reading

On most Sundays during the Easter season in Cycle A, our Gospel is taken from the Gospel of John. This week’s Gospel, however, is taken from the Gospel of Luke. As    in last week’s Gospel, today’s Gospel shows us how the first community of disciples came to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. In these stories we gain insight into how the community of the Church came to be formed.

When we read today’s Gospel, we may be surprised to learn that these friends of Jesus could walk and converse with him at some length yet not recognize him.    Again we discover that the risen Jesus is not always easily recognized. Cleopas      and the other disciple walk with a person whom they believe to be a stranger; only later do they discover that the stranger is Jesus. We learn that the first community met and recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread, just as we meet Jesus in    the Eucharist.

We can imagine the feelings of the two disciples in today’s reading. They are leaving their community in Jerusalem. Their friend Jesus has been crucified. Their hope is gone. They are trying to make sense of what has occurred, so that they can put the experience behind them.

Jesus himself approaches the two men, but they take him for a stranger. Jesus    asks them what they are discussing. He invites them to share their experience        and interpretation of the events surrounding his crucifixion and death. When the    two disciples have done so, Jesus offers his own interpretation of his crucifixion    and resurrection, citing Jewish Scripture. In that encounter we find the model for    our Liturgy of the Word—what we do each time we gather as a community for the Eucharist. We reflect upon our life experiences and interpret them in light of  Scripture. We gather together to break open the Word of God.

In the next part of the story, we find a model for our Liturgy of the Eucharist. The disciples invite the stranger (Jesus) to stay with them. During the meal in which    they share in the breaking of the bread, the disciples’ eyes are opened; they  recognize the stranger as Jesus. In the Eucharist too we share in the breaking of      the bread and discover Jesus in our midst. Just as the disciples returned to Jerusalem to recount their experience to the other disciples, we too are sent from  our Eucharistic gathering. Our experience of Jesus in the Eucharist compels us to share the story with others.

Family Connection

Families, as the domestic church, have the opportunity to make the family meal a time of prayerful encounter with one another and with Jesus. At a family meal we share our experiences of the day and connect them with the experiences of others    in the family. We can also enjoy the meal as an opportunity to reflect upon our family life in light of Scripture. At their best our family meals can connect us to Jesus too.

Choose a family meal this week to share one another’s experiences of the week in a special way. Perhaps invite family members to plan and prepare the meal together.

Begin the meal by reading today’s Gospel, Luke 24:13-35. As you eat, talk together about how the disciples discussed their experiences in Jerusalem and how they came to understand them differently when Jesus interpreted those events in the    light of Scripture. Then invite each family member to share the things that are going on in his or her life. Consider what Jesus might say to each person if he were sitting at your dinner table. Conclude with a special prayer after your dinner. Pray a prayer    of blessing for each family member, asking that Jesus continue to be present in    each person’s life, helping each one to be a better follower of Jesus. Conclude with    a Sign of Peace.