THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER, CYCLE A

Opening prayer: Lord Jesus, in today’s Gospel you appear to two disciples who had begun to lose hope and opened their eyes to what the Scriptures foretold: that first you must die, and then rise and ascend into your Father’s glorious presence. May you breathe on our minds and open our eyes that we may recognize your presence in our breaking open of your bread and follow you in your risen life. Amen

Sharing of life: What are you most and least grateful for this past week?

Facilitator reads focus statement: The first reading is the first of six major homilies, which Peter gives in the Acts of the Apostles. In the second reading, Peter exhorts his readers to "conduct themselves with reverence" and to refrain from "futile conduct." In the Gospel, Jesus opens the eyes of two disciples to his presence in the Eucharist as they travel with him to the village of Emmaus.

If you have not read the commentary prior to the meeting, consider reading it either before of after you read each reading.

FIRST READING: Acts 2:14, 22-33

In Acts, Luke builds a bridge between Jesus and the Church. In last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus breathed on the Apostles transmitting to them the Holy Spirit and empowering them to preach the Good News. In this reading, we witness Peter and the other Apostles doing just that -- preaching the Good News about Jesus, one sent by God to bring salvation to all the people. Even though Jesus was able to work signs and wonders, he was rejected by his own people (but raised up by God). His death, though terrible, was mysteriously accounted to God’s set plan and purpose. The reading concludes with a quotation from Psalm 16:8-11. The New Testament writers often quoted the Old Testament to show their readers that Jesus’ coming and death was foretold in their own Hebrew scriptures.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 16

This psalm expresses confidence and trust in God.

SECOND READING: 1 Peter 1:17-21

Although the earliest believers in Jesus did find themselves "at home" in their newly found way of living. They also found that because of their faith in Jesus, they were no longer "at home" in the world. They experienced themselves as "sojourners in a strange land". In today’s reading, Peter urges these sojourners to "conduct themselves with reverence". They must remember that they were delivered from a "futile way of life" not by silver and gold but by the "precious blood of Jesus".

GOSPEL: Luke 24:13-35

This is Luke’s well-known and loved Emmaus journey story. It is a story in which we notice a movement from the darkness of unbelief to the light of faith, a movement from despair to hope. It is also a beautiful instruction on the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

The first part of the story is like our "Liturgy of the Word". Jesus proclaims a word to the two despairing disciples. He also opens their eyes to the meaning of the Scriptures. Then we have a "Liturgy of the Eucharist". Just as he did at the Last Supper, Jesus takes bread, blesses it, breaks it and gives it to the disciples. In the "breaking of the bread", the eyes of the disciples are opened and they come to believe in Jesus’ presence. Some commentators note that Luke used this story to communicate to those who were missing the physical presence of Christ, that their celebration of the Eucharist was the new way that Jesus was going to be with them. Just as he fed them prior to the resurrection with his teaching, now he would continue to feed and nourish them in and through the proclamation of the scriptures and the breaking of the bread. When they (and we) gather together to listen to his Word and break bread, Jesus is truly in our midst.

FAITH SHARING QUESTIONS

1) What verse, idea or image spoke to you and why?

2) In the second reading Peter speaks about being ransomed from "futile conduct". What might be examples of "futile conduct" in today’s world"? What kind of "futile conduct" are you tempted to engage in?

3) Coming to believe that a dead person had come back to life must have been a huge challenge for early believers. Knowing your level of faith and maybe your tendency to be skeptical of outrageous stories, how do you think you may have reacted when the news came your way that Jesus had risen from the dead?

4) In the beautiful Emmaus story, Jesus "opens the minds" of the two disciples to the Scriptures and "open their eyes" to his presence in the ‘breaking of the bread’ (an early name for the Eucharist). Over the years, how has Jesus opened your mind to the meaning of the Scriptures and opened the eyes of your faith to his presence in the Eucharist? What has helped or facilitated this opening process?

RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD

Name one way you can act on today’s readings. Suggestions: The next time you attend Mass, try to be more attentive to the awesome event that you are privileged to participate in. Also, see if you are presently engaged in any "futile conduct". If so, turn away from it.

CONCLUDE WITH PRAYERS OF PETITION AND INTERCESSION