THE RISEN JESUS IS ALWAYS IN OUR MIDST

 

Homily for the third Sunday of Easter, Year A

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Scriptural Texts: Acts 2:14.22-33, 1 Peter 1:17-21, Luke 24:13-35

 

After the arrest and death of Jesus, the disciples were scattered. Already from the moment of his arrest, some of his disciples fled in fear (Matthew 26:56, Mark 14:50-52), and as we read last Sunday, they continued to be in fear of the Jewish leaders even after Jesus had risen from the dead (John 20:19). This fear made some of them flee from Jerusalem since the city was no more a safe place for the followers of Jesus. The two disciples on the way to Emmaus in today’s gospel reading belonged to this last group. They were going to Emmaus to seek refuge (asylum). But that was not all, they were also leaving Jerusalem out of disappointment in the way and manner in which Jesus died. They had hoped that Jesus was the one to set Israel free (Luke 24:21).

When Jesus joined them on the way, the tone of their conversation was laced with anger, sadness, and disappointment. Their expectations were cut short. In our own journey of life, there are times when we feel like the two disciples on the way to Emmaus. When our expectations are cut short, we may experience a range of emotions, including disappointment, sadness, frustration, emptiness, grief, and uncertainty. These feelings are a natural part of the human experience, and it is important to acknowledge and process them in a healthy way. These feelings should not close our eyes to the extent that like the two disciples we no longer recognize Jesus who is always journeying with us even in our difficult moments. Like the two disciples, sometimes we may not recognize Jesus in our midst, even when he is right beside us.

Jesus journeyed with them all along but it was only after he had shared the Word and broke the Bread with them that their eyes were opened and they were able to recognize that it was Jesus who had been journeying with them (Luke 24:30-32). The two things that Jesus did with them are the very things we do each time we gather to celebrate the Eucharist- we share the Word and break the Bread. As such, the Eucharist is meant to open our eyes to acknowledge and recognize Jesus. The Eucharist is one of the primary ways that Jesus continues to reveal Himself to us today. Let us stay open to the presence of Jesus in our daily lives and seek him through the Word and Sacraments.

Lastly, after the two disciples had encountered and recognized Jesus in the Word and Eucharist, we were told that they got up at once and went back to Jerusalem where they found the eleven disciples gathered with others (Luke 24:33). They had been filled with despair and confusion after Jesus’ crucifixion and death, but their encounter with Jesus renewed their hope and faith. Their encounter with Jesus brought about a change of attitude and a change in direction. The fact that they got up at once and went back to Jerusalem is significant. It shows us that when we encounter Jesus and experience his love and grace, we should be motivated to act on it. We should not delay or hesitate, but rather, we should respond with a sense of urgency and purpose either through serving others, sharing the gospel, or simply being a positive influence in our communities. Our own encounter with Jesus especially in his Word and Sacraments should also bring about a turnaround in our way of life.