LORD, EXPLAIN THE SCRIPTURES TO US

III EASTER SUNDAY - Luke 24:13-35

According to Peter (1 Peter 1:17-21), we live in a foreign land, as in exile, walking towards the promised land in the Kingdom of God. Being in this situation, we “must be scrupulously careful”, aware that we were freed from slavery by Jesus Christ, who paid our ransom with his blood.

In his first speech after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, Peter confronts people with their biggest sin: they killed the Messiah, the pure and innocent lamb who offered himself as a sacrifice for the redemption of our sins. Then, he proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus Christ and invited all his listeners to repent and convert. Jesus is the only way to the Father; believing in him, we find life and salvation.

Whenever the Gospel is proclaimed, we are invited to become disciples and to join the group of disciples, that is, to become the body of Christ, his Church. It is essential that, in the Church, we make the encounter with Christ and recognise that He is risen. This encounter is made possible through the Word of God and the Eucharist. These are the two sides of the same coin, as we discover in this Sunday’s gospel.

Jesus walks with us along the paths of life. We may not recognise him, but he listens to us and tries to understand our frustrations and backsliding so that we may find hope and purpose in our lives. For that to happen, we must allow ourselves to be confronted by the word of God. His word is both challenging and revealing; it gives understanding and meaning. It guides and motivates us, leading us to faith in Jesus Christ, He who is the Truth and the Life.

However, the proclamation of the Word must end in the breaking of the bread at the table of the Lord. As we discover in the story of the two disciples going to Emmaus, the word led them to invite Jesus into their home. In their hearts, there came a desire to hear more from the master of truth, thus opening new horizons and going deeper into the mystery of salvation. Learning from them, we must press Jesus to be with us: “Stay with us.” The celebration of the Eucharist – the breaking of the bread – is essential for us to recognise the Lord Jesus as the Risen Lord. It was this experience that gave them the strength to return to Jerusalem and give witness that Jesus is alive. The Eucharist makes the mission possible. After this eucharistic celebration, we are sent to our families and our working places to be witnesses of Jesus Christ.