Easter Sunday

THE DISCIPLES ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS

INTRODUCTION

Happy Easter!!! Congratulations! You have just completed the Lenten journey - the journey of 40 days. But the journey does not end after 40 days. The journey does not end with the passion and death of Jesus - it continues with the Resurrection of Jesus as we celebrate Easter. This is our Easter journey.

Let us join the friends of Jesus on their Easter journey.

SCRIPTURE: The Walk to Emmaus

Now on the third day after the death of Jesus, two of his disciples were going to Emmaus and talking with each other about all the things that had happened. While they were talking, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. He said to them, "What are you discussing with each other?" They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place in these days?" Jesus asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Moreover, some woman of our group who were at the tomb early this morning are now claiming that he is alive when they did not find his body there."

Then Jesus said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared. Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?" Then he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

As they came near the village, they urged him to stay with them, so Jesus went in to stay with them. When he was at supper with them, their eyes were opened and they recognized him in the breaking of the bread. And he vanished from their sight. Later they said to each other, "Did we not feel our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us about the scriptures?"

Adapted from Luke 24:13-32

REFLECTION

The Easter journey of these two disciples of Jesus was anything but easy. It was like a roller coaster ride. They felt alone and abandoned. They had lost all hope that Jesus would be the one to bring about new life. They were engrossed in their personal pain and suffering. They were unable to look up and to see the light. Their experience is part of our experience. It is part of being human.

The disciples looked up and saw Jesus. It was only then, when the disciples looked up and recognized Jesus that they were filled with joy and gratitude. It was in seeing Jesus that they experienced hope.

For me, being a Christian means that I am a follower of Jesus as were the disciples in our story. As a follower of Jesus I never journey alone. I journey with Jesus. It is in walking with Jesus and talking to him as I would talk to a trusted friend that my relationship with Jesus deepens. The more I know Jesus, the more he will make a difference in my life. The more my life will be filled with hope, joy and compassion.

When our hearts are burning with Christ's love, we want to tell others the good news that Jesus Christ is alive, that Jesus makes a difference in our lives. We will be like the two disciples who ran to share their story with their companions in Jerusalem. Such good news is worth shouting about, don't you think?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. Pause. Sit quietly for a few moments. Try to be one with these heartbroken friends of Jesus. Have you ever felt like the disciples, when your deepest expectation and dearest hope were suddenly snatched from you? How did you feel? Where did you find help?
2. "They recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread." Truly an awesome moment! Have you had some of these moments in your own life?
3. How does Jesus make a difference in your life? How does Jesus influence the way you talk? The way you act?

PRAYER

Oh Jesus, you have told me that it was necessary for you to suffer and die and then enter into your glory. It seems that you are saying to me: "Go to the empty tomb, lift high your arms as a sign of victory. Lift high your voice in joy as you say, he is not here. He is risen, Alleluia! Sing, Alleluia again and again for you are called to share in my glad triumph, in my resurrection!" Amen.

For other prayers, see this page