Jesus is God’s everlasting love in person.  Hence, risen from the dead, he does stay true to us and does walk with us. 

Two disciples are on their way to Emmaus.  Jesus draws near to them and walks with them.  But they do not recognize him.  It may be because, feeling sad and disappointed, they walk, head down.  And “… we are all a little like those two disciples.”  We need Jesus to be with us.  It is because we all go through tough times of sadness, defeat and failure.  We hope time and again, but only to feel let down in the end.

And in this time of wars, we feel sad and disillusioned.  For it seems that the forces of lawless men, of evil, injustice, greed, tyranny, are winning.  And, hence, the number of innocent victims of the idolatry of power and money keeps growing.

But the one who has risen from the dead seeks us who despair.  He walks with us, asks questions and listens.  He nourishes us with the Scriptures and shows us, foolish and slow to believe them, that there is no glory without shame.  Finally, he gives us his body to eat and his blood to drink.

And all that is left for us to do is to be with the poor and to walk with them.  Thus, ours will be also the true religion.  We will have a lively faith, will believe, touch and taste the words of life (SV.EN XII:142).  And we will recognize the Lord in the breaking of bread.  That is, we will grasp that “there is no love without sacrifice.”  For to do good means to face conflicts (SV.EN I:75).  And we will see the Risen One in the good folks who are around us or in the opportunities to be blessing for others.  We will also put up with tough times with faith and hope in God.

Lord Jesus, draw near to us and walk with us.  And make us, as we come to the table of your word, know you better and be more joyful.  Grant also that we find strength and life at the table of your body and blood.

19 April 2026
3rd Sunday of Easter (A)
Acts 2, 14. 22-33; 1 Pt 1, 17-21; Lk 24, 13-35