Homily – 3rd Sunday of Easter, Year B

–Fr. Timothy W. Castor

If you cast your mind back to the 3rd Sunday of Easter last year, you might recall that, on that day, we heard from the Gospel of St. Luke the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. It was the Sunday after Passover — the day of the resurrection — some of the women and a couple of the eleven disciples had already seen the empty tomb; Jesus had appeared to Mary Magdalen. But for the most part, confusion still reigned among the followers of Christ, and word had not yet gotten out to everyone that he had risen from the dead. Two of Christ’s followers have apparently given up hope and are walking home from Jerusalem. One is named Cleopas and the other — at least according to one tradition — is his wife. They are heading toward Emmaus, a little town a few miles west of the city. It is afternoon and, while they had heard the stories of the empty tomb, still they did not understand what had really happened. As far as they know, Jesus their Lord is dead and gone, and their hopes are dashed. But then a strange man comes along and begins to walk with them. He listens to their sad story and responds in a totally unexpected way: "Oh, how foolish you are!" he tells them, "How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" "Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets," Saint Luke tells us, "he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures."

Of course, we know who this strange man is: it’s Jesus Christ the Lord, risen from the dead! But the two disciples still do not recognize him. The sun is now setting, and the three travelers arrive at the disciples’ home. They invite the stranger to stay with them and have supper. He agrees, and sits down to table with them. He takes the bread, breaks it before them, and vanishes from their sight. And in that moment, the two recognize their Lord. What was it about the breaking of bread that made them finally see Jesus? Think back to the last time the disciples saw Jesus break bread — it was the Last Supper, that momentous event when Christ instituted the Most Holy Eucharist and gave them to eat his true Body and Blood. In breaking the bread before them, Jesus reminded the two disciples in Emmaus of his Eucharistic presence and, in a silent but profound way, assured them that he would truly remain with his faithful people until the end of time.

With great joy, the two immediately return to Jerusalem to tell the Eleven what had happened. This is where today’s Gospel begins: "The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way and how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of the bread." Then something wonderful happens: Jesus himself appears in their midst and says, "Peace be with you." But still there is doubt, confusion, and fear. Despite all that they have seen and heard, the disciples still can’t believe that this is truly their blessed Lord. "Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?" Jesus asks them, "Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have." And then, to prove to them that he still has his real, though glorified, human body, and is not just a ghost or a figment of their imagination, he asks for some food and eats a piece of fish before them. Maybe this is why, whenever there’s a serious matter to be resolved in the Church, a meal is always involved. In any case, this clinches it for the disciples, and once again Jesus assures them that his death and resurrection was all part of the plan. "Thus it is written," he tells them, "that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things."

This is our Easter message; this is the joy we share. Jesus died and rose again for the forgiveness of sins and to bring us new life. This is why Saint John writes in today’s second reading, "If anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one." Jesus lives today to intercede for us. When our sins accuse us before the Father, Jesus shows him the wounds he endured for our sake and pleads our cause. The 3rd Sunday of Easter is a good moment to be reminded that Lent is not the only time to think about sin. I’m always edified by the great numbers of people who come to confession during the holy season of Lent. But if we’re really honest with ourselves, we have to admit that sin is a reality in our lives throughout the entire year. Let’s not put off confession for months at the time. But let’s make use of the Sacrament of God’s mercy and love whenever we fall into serious sin. Sins of pride and selfishness, when we put ourselves before the needs of others; sins against charity, when we harbor grudges against our brothers and sisters and show contempt toward our neighbors; sins against purity, misusing the gift of sexuality God has given us or disobeying the teachings of the Church regarding contraception and abortion; sins against our faith, neglecting the duties of our religion and missing Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. These are just a few of the more serious sins — don’t let them fester in your soul while claiming outwardly to be a good Christian. Then you will be guilty of St. John’s indictment: "Those who say, ‘I know him,’ but do not keep his commandments are liars, and the truth is not in them." Hard words, but true.

My dear brothers and sisters, Jesus comes to us today and every day in his resurrection glory to give us peace. May our hearts always be prepared to receive him. May we always say with today’s Psalm, "O Lord, let the light of your countenance shine upon us! You put gladness into my heart."

© 2003, Rev. Timothy W. Castor