Eucharistic Readings for Wednesday of Easter Week: All Years
Acts 3:1 to10; Psalm 105:1 to 8 or Psalm 118:19 to 24; Luke 24:13 to 35:
“But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.” (Luke 24: 29 – 31)
Our Lord Jesus walks up and asks what was going on. The two on the road are taken aback by this unrecognized person. Only to discover this person knows much more than they do in terms of the destiny of Jesus. To quote Paul Harvey, “now they know, the rest of the story.” In telling the story Jesus starts with Moses. And he ends with what they knew, that the Messiah was crucified, died, and has been seen alive.
As it was getting late, they invite this “stranger” to their house for a meal and shelter. The stranger accepts. It was at the table that they come to realize that this stranger is in fact Jesus Himself. They recognize him in the manner in which he performs this sacred ritual; he takes, blesses, breaks and gives the bread. This is the same thing our Lord Jesus did with his disciples; he took them in, blessed them with teaching, preaching and healing; split them up into pairs like these two we meet on the road to Emmaus and gave them to the world. And now has given us to the world at large to continue His work of teaching, preaching and healing to the best of our ability. So now our eyes too are opened and our hearts burning within us as we are also to make people aware of the prophecy of the scriptures, the fulfillment of the destiny of our Lord Jesus.
Let us pray:
Oh Holy Presence of God, come among us and have us to know and believe more fully in what lies ahead in the afterlife. Encourage us to live our current lives more faithfully so that we may welcome life eternal with fewer regrets. Lead us and guide us and teach us Dear Lord; Amen.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 