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Reflection: The Third Sunday of Easter

Faith and Values

Reflection: The Third Sunday of Easter

The meeting of the Risen Christ with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus is one of the best known Resurrection stories. They are running away from Jerusalem through sheer fear of the Jews and Romans and what they might do to the followers of Jesus. Jesus meets them on the road although they do not recognise him and then he explains the scriptures to them and how the Old Testament prophets stated that the Messiah had to die in order to enter his glory. Death was not the end. After explaining the scriptures to them they arrive at the inn. Jesus then breaks the bread with them as he did at the Last Supper and then vanishes.

The two disciples are now filled with joy and peace and run back to Jerusalem to proclaim the Lord’s Resurrection. Their fear has gone after the encounter with the Risen Christ. The Emmaus story is the blueprint for the Mass. We encounter Christ in both his Word and the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Every time we attend Mass we too experience an Emmaus encounter with the Living Lord.

Michael McLaughlin