Seeing Jesus

Happy Easter, everyone! We’re celebrating for 50 days, you know!

Today’s Bible readings focus on that “journey.” As disciples of the Risen Jesus, we know our lives are a journey toward the ultimate destination of heaven.

Our Gospel passage today describes the journey of two disciples on the road to Emmaus. The two are dejected and despondent after Jesus’ death. They knew Jesus personally. They had heard the Gospel message directly from His lips. They heard the testimony of the women who discovered the empty tomb of our Lord and saw a vision of angels announcing that He was alive. They had been informed by other disciples who went to the tomb that all was exactly as the women reported.

How much more obvious could the Good News be?

And yet, at times, the reaction of the two disciples describes our own journey, doesn’t it? We have the fullness of the Catholic faith, the power of the sacraments, and the support of our parish family. Yet, we often lose our way. We fail to see all the gifts we have been given. We lack trust in the perfect goodness and almighty power of God.

But notice what happens to the two disciples when their eyes are opened once again, and they recognize Jesus in the Eucharist — the “breaking of the bread.” They are transformed! Their hearts are set on fire with love for the Lord and their faith. They recall that their hearts began “burning within” as the Lord was explaining the Scriptures to them. When we find we have lost our way, we can go to the same sources as the two disciples on the road to Emmaus — the Scriptures and the Eucharist.

In this Easter season (and alway!) stay close to these two sources of grace. They are just what we need to carry us on our journey towards heaven!

Fr. Mark Zacker

Pastor