Sunday Readings for April 18-19, Third Sunday of Easter
By Fr. Edward Looney | For On Mission
I don’t know if you have had this experience, but I had it the other day. Someone comes up to me and starts talking to me like we know each other. I look at them, and I know them, and that our paths have crossed. But I don’t know how I know them. Do I know them from parish life, from a talk I’ve given, or an event I attended? Then what happens, as it did just a few weeks ago, about 10 minutes later, I place the person and remember the connection to who they are. The story they shared makes much more sense. I recognized them and didn’t recognize them.
In the Gospel of the Road to Emmaus, it says that the two disciples walking along the road were prevented from recognizing Jesus. Jesus drew near and conversed with them. Their initial conversation turned to the events of Good Friday and Easter Sunday — Jesus crucified and the reported empty tomb. As the conversation continues, Jesus helps the two recognize the connection between the Old Testament and the events that just happened.
Their time together ends with the breaking of the bread: Jesus takes the bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to them. And in that moment, the unrecognized Jesus disappears, and the disciples’ hearts burn within, knowing that Christ was with them in the resurrection and that they now recognize him in the breaking of the bread.
For us now, we must recognize him in the breaking of the bread, in the Eucharist we celebrate, receive, and adore. We know what the Church teaches: Jesus is present Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Eucharist. But do we see the Eucharist as Jesus? Do we believe it is him? Do we receive him in holy Communion knowing that we are one with the Lord who died for us and redeemed us? Our lives, hearts, minds, and souls must be formed to recognize him.
When we adore the Eucharist during the elevation at Mass, people commonly quietly say, “My Lord and my God.” Early on in my priesthood, I began adding in my personal prayer at that moment, “Truly it is you!” It was a reminder to me, in that moment, whose presence was in my hands. The elevation at Mass is extended through Eucharistic adoration, when we can spend time in his presence, have our hearts convicted that he is with us, and help us recognize him in the Eucharist.
Our weekly attendance at Mass, and for some even more frequent, will help us recognize the Lord rather than struggle to know that he is with us. Through the Mass and adoration, Jesus will become more familiar to us, and we will recognize him more readily.
The readings for Sunday, April 19, can be found at Third Sunday of Easter | USCCB.
Fr. Edward Looney serves as the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Shawano. He is an author and podcaster, with a presence on various social media platforms under the handle @FrEdwardLooney.