(Acts 2:14,22-33; Psalm 16; 1 Peter 1:17-21; Luke 24:13-35)

As I sat down to write this reflection this morning, the doorbell rang. It was Jehovah’s Witnesses pointing out to me all of the horrible things which are happening in the world today and asking if I knew the answer. I said, ‘Prayer’, they seemed a little taken aback and asked if I was a believer. I shared with them that I am a deacon in the Catholic Church. They then asked if I thought the news events was signalling the end of the world, I said that only God the Father knows that time as Jesus pointed out to us. They left me a card, and I wished them well in their ministry.

While I believe they are misguided in how they worship God, I can’t help but admire their courage in knocking on people’s doors proclaiming their Gospel message. I’m not sure that I could do that. Then again, how sure was St Peter before Pentecost that he could stand and share the real Good News in public, even in Jerusalem. After all, in last week’s Gospel the disciples were all in a locked room for fear of the Jews. This week, we hear an emboldened Peter; accompanied by the Eleven; filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking eloquently and with confidence about the Risen Christ.

There is also contrast in the Gospel we hear today. First of all, I wonder why the disciples were walking towards Emmaus. Is it on the road to Galilee? Were they obeying the instructions given to assemble in Galilee? In their discussions with their ‘new friend’ they seemed to focus on the Crucifixion and not on the Resurrection, it takes Jesus, their new friend, to walk alongside them and explain how since the Fall, God has been planning and preparing mankind for this moment. That Jesus is the One they have been waiting for. However, He did the will of his Father and became the Christ we had been promised instead of the Christ they had hoped for. Their hope was for a mighty warrior who would overthrow the Romans and make Israel a mighty nation again. But God said, those days are gone. God doesn’t need mighty warriors, God needs people who exude love and mercy, just like Jesus. People who recognise Jesus in the breaking of the bread.

In the Missal I use, there is a short commentary from Pope Benedict XVI on this Gospel, which he says “is the famous account of the disciples of Emmaus. The location of Emmaus has not been identified with certainty. There are hypotheses and this one is not without evocativeness of its own for it allows us to think that Emmaus actually represents every place; the road that leads there is the road every Christian, every person, takes. The Risen Jesus makes himself our travelling companion as we go on our way, to rekindle the warmth of faith and hope in our hearts and to break the bread of eternal life.” These words from the late Pope are encouraging for us all. From his explanation we are all travelling to Emmaus, wherever our physical journey may be; and if we make our journey in faith then we are accompanied by Jesus.

Accompaniment is really important. Especially for those new to faith or those struggling with their faith. We are all called to be like Jesus and to walk alongside fellow disciples; these could be people in our own family or from our Church family; and give them the gentle encouragement they need by our words and our actions. Every Christian has a mission to bring other people to Christ; this is part of our calling from the moment we are baptised. This is what God expects, He doesn’t want us to keep our faith to ourselves, he wants no-one to walk alone.

Many of us will have had new church family members join us this Easter. Do you know who they are? If yes, brilliant, be sure to share words of encouragement with them. If you don’t know who they are, or haven’t yet introduced yourselves to them, why not resolve to do that this weekend or in the coming week?

Further Reading

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Third Sunday of Easter

CCC 1346-1347: the Eucharist and the experience of the disciples at Emmaus
CCC 642-644, 857, 995-996: the apostles and disciples as witnesses of the Resurrection
CCC 102, 601, 426-429, 2763: Christ the key to interpreting all Scripture
CCC 519, 662, 1137: Christ, our Advocate in heaven[1]

Please accompany in your prayers

  • All those who are sick, either at home or in hospital, especially those who have very few or no visitors.
  • Those who have died and those who grieve for them.
  • Those who have completed and those who continue with the RCIA programme; especially those who received the Sacraments of Initiation this Easter.
  • The young people preparing for Confirmation in our Pastoral Area.
  • The success of the Pastoral Area Mission Plan.
  • The families who start their Baptism Preparation sessions this week.
  • Chukwuebuka, Maya & Samuel who will be Baptised this weekend at St Bede’s.
  • The success of the current Called & Gifted programme.

Deacon Tony

18th April 2026

[1] Homiletic Directory, Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments