On Easter Day, following the discovery of the empty tomb by the Holy Women and the information that Jesus had risen from the dead, two of Jesus’ disciples set out for the town of Emmaus which was a short distance from Jerusalem.

The disciples’ entire conversation centered on the recent events of Jesus’ death and resurrection in Jerusalem, when suddenly, Jesus came along and joined them on their journey.

“What is it” he said to them, “you are so earnestly discussing on your walk.”

Not recognizing Jesus, they stopped, and sadness clouded their faces.

One spoke up, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem that does not know what happened there these days?”

“Well, what,”Jesus replied.

“Well,” they said to him, “all about Jesus of Nazareth, who proved himself a prophet, mighty in word and deed in the sight of God and the people, and how the chief priests and our authorities delivered him up to death and had him crucified, although for our part we had hoped he might be the man destined to redeem Israel. …Furthermore, some women of our company too, have upset us; they went to the tomb at dawn and not finding his body, came back saying that they had seen a vision of angels who declared to them that he was alive! Then some of our company set out for the tomb and found the report of the women to be correct, but they did not see him in person.”

“O how dull you are!”Jesus said to them; “How slow to understand when it comes to believing anything the prophets have said! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should undergo these sufferings and thus enter into his glory?”
And then beginning with Moses and the Prophets, he interpreted to them whatever is said about himself anywhere in the Scriptures.

Meanwhile, as they approached the Village of Emmaus, Jesus indicated that he would continue on his way, the disciples prevailed upon him to stay, “Please be our guest”they said, “the day is far spent and it is close to evening”. So he went in with them as their guest.

When Jesus had reclined at table with the disciples, he took the bread into his hands, and after saying grace, broke it into portions which he gave to them.

At last their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; but he vanished from their sight.

“Were not our inmost hearts on fire,” they said to each other, “as he spoke to us on the way, explaining the Scriptures to us.”

And setting out that very hour, they retraced their steps to Jerusalem. Here they found assembled the Eleven and their companions, who said: “Actually, the Lord is risen! He appeared to Simon.” Then they, in turn, related what had taken place on the journey, and how they had recognized him in the breaking of the bread!

Let us Pray: Easter Sequence:
“Praise the Pascal Victim”

Christians, to the Paschal Victim
Offer your thankful praises!
A Lamb the sheep redeems;
Christ, who only is sinless,
Reconciles sinners to the Father.
Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous:
The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.
Speak, Mary, declaring
What you saw, wayfaring.
“The tomb of Christ, who is living,
The glory of Jesus’ resurrection;
bright angels attesting,
The shroud and napkin resting.
Yes, Christ my hope is arisen;
to Galilee he goes before you.”
Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining.
Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!
Amen. Alleluia.