On the road

Third Sunday of Easter

Today’s Gospel is taken from Luke and like last week’s Gospel shows how the first community of disciples came to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead, it enables us to see how the community of the Church came about. It shows us how Jesus always takes the initiative and comes to us in different situations and stages in our life. Even as we are walking along the road!

 It recounts the story of two disciples who after Jesus’ death were walking away from Jerusalem towards a village called Emmaus. Their journey is a very human journey, they carried the sorrow and loss of Jesus’ death. The person who they had followed and supported, dedicated their whole lives to had been cruelly put to death. This sense of loss was shown in their faces as they are described as being “downcast.” All of us have travelled that sad journey of loss at some time in our lives. Today whole countries in times of war travel it together. Now although not realising it, the very person in whom they had put their hopes was journeying with them, encouraging them to talk about their loss. That person was revealing a much bigger and a more hopeful story found in the Scriptures. It was a story which ended not with death but with glory. The words of the stranger left their hearts burning within them. In that encounter we find the model for our Liturgy of the Word which we celebrate when we gather as a community for Mass. We also find a model for our Liturgy of the Eucharist in the next part of the story. The disciples invite the stranger (Jesus) to stay with them and whilst sharing a meal they come to realize who the stranger is. In the breaking of the bread, the eyes of the disciples are opened, and they recognize the stranger as Jesus. When we celebrate the Liturgy of the Eucharist Jesus comes to us also, he is in our midst. The Risen Lord is always coming to stand amongst us whether it is at Church, at home, in hospital or just walking in the street, he comforts us when we are sad, afraid, lonely, uncertain, excited. The initiative is always with Jesus and just as the disciples returned to Jerusalem to recount their experience of the Risen Lord, we too are sent from Mass to share our experience of Jesus with others and to respond to his call.

A reading from the Gospel of Luke (Lk 24: 13-35)

That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; they came back and reported

that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see. “And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So, he went in to stay with them.

And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” So, they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

  1. Read the Gospel story so that you are familiar with it.
  2. Reflect on what the Gospel story is saying to you. Which points would you highlight and why? 
  3. The theme for today is the celebration of the Eucharist. Am I truly committed to attending Mass at least every Sunday with my family? As parents we lead by example what example am I giving to my children as regards to the importance of celebrating the Liturgy of the Eucharist.   
  4.  As a family you can make mealtimes a prayerful encounter. Never be shy to always make the sign of the cross before you eat and say grace. Even when you are in a restaurant.
  5. Together with your family find the right time to read this Gospel. The environment helps, so before you start, prepare;
    i. The Bible reading from St Luke (24: 13-35) 
    ii. a candle
    iii. Cover the table with a white cloth
    iv. A computer/laptop with the reading and clips
  6. Go through the steps with your children (2 age groups are being suggested).
  7. Feel free to adapt to your situation
  8. Be creative 😊 
  9. Go to the Prayer Corner section to continue praying as a family. 

Introduction

Today we hear about two disciples who after Jesus’ death were walking away from Jerusalem going to a village called Emmaus. Along the way they met someone special, but at first, they did not recognize him. Let’s listen to find out who it was.

  • We are all made in the image of God and Jesus is in each and every person, but often we forget this.
  • Our eyes can be opened just like the disciples in the Gospel if we listen to the Word of God and celebrate the gift of Jesus at Mass.
  • Large heart template
  • Pencil/ Colours
  • Scissors
Large heart templateDownload

The story in the Gospel today takes place just after Jesus has been crucified and died on the cross. Two of Jesus’ followers were walking to a village called Emmaus close to Jerusalem, they were talking about all the things that had happened over the last few days. As they talked a stranger joined them, it was actually Jesus, but at first they didn’t recognize him.  Jesus asked them what they were talking about and they were sad and surprised that the stranger didn’t know what had happened to Jesus of Nazareth. They told him about Jesus’ death on the cross and how some women had visited his tomb the next day and had found it empty. Not only that, but they also said that they saw a vision of angels who told them that he is alive. How could this be true? Jesus starts to explain to them what was said about him by the prophets in the Scriptures, beginning with the books of Moses. He explains the Scriptures so that they can understand that Jesus has risen from the dead. But still the disciples do not recognize Jesus. Finally the disciples ask Jesus to stay with them and to share a meal with them. During the meal Jesus takes the bread, blesses it, breaks it and shares it with the disciples. Suddenly, at this moment they recognize that the stranger is in fact Jesus who has risen from the dead. Why do you think that at this moment they realise that it is Jesus? Can you think of another time when Jesus shared a meal with friends, broke, blessed and shared bread with them? He did this at the Last Supper, the night before he died. We are all created in God’s image and likeness and Jesus is in each and every person, but sometimes we forget this. We are like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we do not recognize Jesus in the people we meet. But our eyes can be opened just like the disciples in the Gospel story. We need to take the time to get to know others, sharing food with people is a good way to get to know someone. When we eat together, we can share our ideas and our experiences. At Mass we listen to the Scriptures, and we come together to celebrate the gift of Jesus, as we share a special meal together. Some of you may be preparing to receive your First Holy Communion and some may already have received Eucharist for the first time, remember this is a very special meal, in the Eucharist we celebrate the gift of Jesus.

Print out the heart template and write on it a short prayer to use as grace before you eat your meals this week. Each time you eat or share food remember to look for Jesus in the people around you and think about all the people involved in providing the food. All those who grew, produced, and prepared it. 

Listen to the song, Jesus is alive.

Sign of the Cross 

Dear Jesus, you are our light and our guide. Open our eyes so we can recognise you in the people we meet in our daily lives. Open our hearts to share generously with each other. Amen.

Today in the Gospel we hear about two disciples of Jesus who were walking away from Jerusalem after Jesus’ death. They were going to the village of Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. As they were talking and thinking about what had happened, Jesus came near and started walking beside them. But they did not recognize him.

  • The story in today’s Gospel reminds us of what we do when we gather for Mass.
  • Whenever we celebrate Mass, we recognize that Jesus is present to us in the Word and in a special way in the Eucharist.
  • Host template.
  • Scissors/glue
  • Colours
  • Brad fastener
ActivityDownload

When Jesus was put to death, some of his disciples left Jerusalem. How do you think they were feeling after all that they saw? Probably they were confused and disappointed. As they were walking to a village called Emmaus a man came up beside them, it was the risen Jesus, but they did not recognize him. Jesus talks to the disciples and askes them to tell him about what had happened in Jerusalem and then Jesus began explaining what was written in the Scriptures regarding the events. As they listened to Jesus, they were feeling very contented they asked him to stay for a meal with them when they reached the village. Jesus stays with them and during the meal he blesses the bread, breaks it, and shares it with the disciples. At this moment their eyes are opened, and they recognize that it is Jesus himself. After the meal they return to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples that they have seen Jesus. 

This story reminds us of what we do when we gather for Mass. We listen to God’s word in the Scriptures this part of Mass is called the Liturgy of the Word. Then we share a special meal doing what Jesus did. The priest blesses and breaks the bread, this is called the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Whenever we celebrate Mass, we recognize that Jesus is present to us in the Word and in a special way in the Eucharist. At the end of the Mass the priest says, “the Mass is ended, go in peace,” it is called the Concluding Rite.  Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we are sent to share the good news of Jesus with others.

To remember the message of today’s Gospel, print out the template, cut out all the pieces and colour them. Stick Jesus (2) on to the inside host (1), split the front host (4) and assemble all the parts using a brad fastener so when the two halves are open, they reveal Jesus. The back (1) will have the words “He was made to know them in the breaking of the bread.” (3)

Listen to the song, Jesus is Alive.

Sign of the Cross

Almighty Father, help us to recognise that Jesus is present to us in Scripture and the Eucharist. Help us to be like the disciples who met Jesus on the road to Emmaus and share our experience of Jesus with others. Amen.

coming soon.

How to use this space

God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. Here you will find useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way.