This third Sunday of Easter has us now traveling on the road to Emmaus, just as the two disciples did on the day of the Resurrection. Those two disciples, one named Cleopas, a follower of Jesus, and the other is never named in the biblical texts, thus the anonymity of the text invites us to see ourselves in the story, as a follower of Jesus.

Before we begin, a few key points to keep in mind as we make our journey: this event takes place on the day of the Resurrection; two disciples are walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus discussing the recent events of Jesus’ passion and death; and, they are confused, saddened, and struggling to understand what has happened.

The journey and the struggle: these two disciples, we are told, represent all believers who  wrestle with doubt, confusion, and sorrow in their faith journeys. Their conversation is representative of the human condition to tend to cling to disappointment and to misunderstand God’s plan. So, Jesus joins them on the road to Emmaus, but at first their eyes don’t recognize Jesus—this is symbolic of our inability to see Christ’s presence in our own lives, in our own struggles in faith.  

Further, Jesus interprets Scriptures illustrating that our knowledge of the Bible, Sacred  Scriptures, is key to understanding God’s plan and the role of Jesus in the fulfillment of the prophecy; He encourages all the faithful to immerse themselves in the Word of God for guidance and clarity in our life choices, particularly as we seek to righteously live out our faith lives.

In the breaking of the bread, which highlights the Eucharistic celebration, which we do at every Mass, brings us to greater understanding of the Eucharist as the real and true presence of Christ—the source of spiritual insight and strength. It points us toward the importance of the Mass in the life of believers, called to encounter the risen Christ.  

The disciples’ response to the breaking of the bread is to have their hearts burn within them, and the immediately return to Jerusalem to share in spreading the G0od News. H0w d0 we respond to the  Eucharistic at Mass. Do our hearts burn with love and desire to go out and transform our children, our parish, our world? The transformative power of the Eucharistic meal, the risen Christ, should transform us from fear-filled believers with confusion to joy and mission. Today, we are called to witness to the  Resurrection, becoming enthusiastic and courageous Christian disciples.

As we look back and study scripture as it relates to the original Road to Emmaus, we are encouraged to be a congregation open to  encountering Christ in everyday moments of life: in our marriages and families, at work or at school, in our personal relationships at book clubs, in conversations with friends or family members, in the public dialogues of current issues, in our personal doubts, struggles and  especially when we don’t see Christ in a given situation. We are called to allow our hearts to locate Truth, not wants or wishes of convenience or to be “peacekeepers rather than peacemakers,” then we can hear the words of our patron saint, Catherine of Siena, and “be who God meant you to be, and set the world on fire.” To allow the Holy Spirit to inflame our hearts with Christ’s presence and respond to life—family, friend and stranger—by sharing the Gospel actively. May the reality of the Resurrection be a powerful reminder to the Hope it brings, and may we all set the w0rld on fire.