Third Sunday of Easter
April 30, 2017 – Year A
Readings: Acts 2:14, 22-33 / Ps 16 / 1 Pt 1:17-21 / Lk 24:13-35
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor 

At some time in the past, many of us have experienced the feeling of arriving home with our hearts heavy and our heads down.  It could have been the time when our favorite sports team lost a championship game, or a loved one was diagnosed with a serious illness, or we were returning from a friend’s funeral.  Whatever the reason, we probably felt that only those who had been through the same type of sadness would be able to empathize with us.   

Therefore, we can understand what must have been going through the minds and hearts of those two disciples on the road to Emmaus, as we just heard in the gospel.  Partly because of their intense sadness, they even failed to recognize that it was the Lord Jesus who was talking with them on the road.  But at the breaking of the bread their eyes of faith were opened and they realized it was the Lord Jesus with them.  As soon as they recognized Him, Jesus disappeared from their sight, because it was no longer necessary that He be physically present in order for them to believe.   

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, just like these two disciples we are traveling on a journey.  Our journey is through this life to our true home, which is the eternal dwelling of our Father in heaven.  In the meantime, just as He promised, the Lord Jesus is always with us.  Every time we attend Mass, He speaks to us through the Scriptures in the readings; and He warms our hearts and souls when we receive His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in Holy Communion.