April 26, 2009 Third Sunday of Easter Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; 1 Jn. 2:1-5; Lk. 24:35-48 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   Readings: http://www.usccb.org/nab/042609.shtml               ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________     We see in the two disciples the hopelessness and despair they experienced as they made their way back to Emmaus. They had been witnesses to all that took place. Yet, there was something preventing them from seeing the truth. The people of our day and age are a lot like those disciples. We wander around in lives of hopelessness and despair. Like them, we know the facts about the life and ministry of Jesus. Whether you are a faithful church member, an occasional worshiper, or a visitor, you've likely heard the stories of Jesus' teaching about love and forgiveness and the miracles He did. In our community, I doubt that there is a person who doesn't know that Jesus died on a cross and rose from the dead. Like the Emmaus' disciples, our basic problem is one of unbelief. Well, if it was up to us, we'd ask for some miraculous sign or proof to clear up our confusion and do away with our unbelief. On that road to Emmaus that first Easter evening, Jesus had the chance to do just that with the confused and unbelieving disciples. Their eyes were kept from recognizing Jesus.  However, Jesus chooses a different way to handle the situation, a way that would show how He planned to handle misunderstanding and unbelief from that time on. Rather than using miraculous signs and proofs, Jesus, instead, catechizes the disciples.   After urging Jesus to stay with them, they reclined at table together to have the evening meal together. A meal was sign of hospitality, acceptance, and fellowship. "Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him." It was in this meal which Jesus gave to them that He revealed Himself to them. The resurrection here became a reality for them. As we walk along the road of our lives in confusion and unbelief, Jesus joins us and begins talking with us. Our eyes are kept from recognizing Him. It is the teaching which causes our hearts to burn within us as we are moved from unbelief to faith. It is the eating which confirms that faith by allowing us to personally experience fellowship with the living Lord. That is why, the Holy Mass has the two parts: Preaching and Holy Communion. They were seen as necessary compliments of one another. The teaching would prepare for and lead to the fellowship enjoyed in the meal. The meal would compliment and reinforce the teaching.     <<   Previous: Second Sunday of Easter  | Next: Fourth Sunday of Easter >>     Go Back to SERMONS (Year B)