HOMILY FOR THE 3RD SUNDAY OF EASTER YEAR A:
THE DISCIPLES OF EMMAUS
OUTLINE
1. JESUS IS WITH US IN THE HOLY EUCHARIST TO ACCOMPANY US IN OUR DAILY LIFE.
2. DO WE LONG FOR JESUS THROUGHOUT THE DAY?
3. OUR LORD IS TELLING US: I HAVE ALREADY STAYED WITH YOU. I AM WITH YOU. NOW, STRIVE TO STAY WITH ME.
1. JESUS IS WITH US IN THE HOLY EUCHARIST TO ACCOMPANY US IN OUR DAILY LIFE.
Today’s 3rd Sunday of Easter year A Gospel narrates to us the disciples of Emmaus’ encounter with the Risen Lord. St. John describes how they were disillusioned, downcast, discouraged and dejected after Our Lord’s death and how Our Lord drew near and walked with them, patiently explained them Scriptures about Him, was invited by the disciples to stay with them, who later recognized Him in the “breaking of the Bread”.
- During these days, let us also pray for all those who are sad, dejected, worried for whatever valid human reason, that they may find help and consolation not only from others, but above all from Our Lord.
- Our Lord does not leave us behind but is always by our side to accompany us in our journey, to encourage us, dispel our doubts, console us and help us in our daily life.
- Like the two disciples, may our disposition always be. STAY WITH US LORD. AND OUR LORD HAS ALREADY DONE HIS PART. Because Our Lord loves and and love seeks union with the Beloved, Jesus stays with us always the Holy Eucharist where we receive not only guidance when we listen to His Word, but also receive Jesus Himself in the Holy Communion, so He could strengthen and transform us from within, and stay with us as long as we allow Him.
- Let us remember: God will walk with us always, always, even in the most painful moments, even in the worst moments, even in moments of defeat. That is where the Lord is. And this is our hope. Let us go forward with this hope! Because he is beside us and walks with us. Always! Pope Francis.
2. DO WE LONG FOR JESUS THROUGHOUT THE DAY?
During the pandemic when the Churches were closed for months, I was told by 3 people who were desiring really to receive Holy Communion as they feel the urgent necessity, that burning from within, to receive Our Lord really truly and substantially present in the Most Holy Eucharist. And they told me: “We need Him in Holy Communion”.
Another 2 people told me that they were able to find a Church where the religious brothers know them and allowed them to attend the Holy Mass, but entering through the back door of the convent.
These conversations made me realize more the indispensable value of the Holy Eucharist especially during these moments of crisis, and the love which some Catholics have of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
- We could ask ourselves: Lord, does my heart burn with desire to receive you, as these people do, as the disciples of Emmaus have experienced? Do I really long for you in the Holy Eucharist where I find my joy, my consolation, my hope, my peace and optimism, and where you transform me into yourself?
3. OUR LORD IS TELLING US: I HAVE ALREADY STAYED WITH YOU. I AM WITH YOU. NOW, STRIVE TO STAY WITH ME.
Our Lord is telling us: STAY WITH ME. He is ardently desiring from each one of us to seek, find and love Him, not only in prayer and in the sacraments, but also all throughout the day by LIVING IN HIS PRESENCE (PRESENCE OF GOD).
- Dear brethren in Christ, DO WE REALLY ARDENTLY SEEK OUR LORD THROUGHOUT THE DAY TO ACT AND LIVE IN HIS PRESENCE? Do we realize that Christ IS with us till the end of time in the Holy Mass where He accompanies us, guides us with His Word, and gives His Flesh and Blood anew to us as our strength, our hope and consolation, our spiritual food…
- MAY OUR DISPOSITION BE: LORD, WE WANT TO STAY WITH YOU NOT ONLY BECAUSE WITHOUT YOU, OUR LIFE IS EMPTY AND MEANINGLESS. NOT ONLY BECAUSE WITHOUT YOU, WE WALK IN DARKNESS AND DESPAIR. But ABOVE ALL, BECAUSE WE LOVE YOU, AND LOVE SEEKS UNION WITH THE BELOVED, AND LOVE IS WITH LOVE REPAID. YOU ARE ARE OUR LIGHT, JOY, SALVATION: OUR ALL.
If we strive to stay with Jesus all throughout the day, then the words of St. John Paul II will come into reality:
“Each time we are reunited in the Eucharist, we are strengthened in holiness and renewed in happiness, for happiness and holiness are the inevitable consequences of being with God. When we are nourished by the Living Bread which has come down from heaven, we become more like Our Resurrected Saviour, who is the fountain of our joy, a joy which is for all people (Lk 2:10). May happiness and holiness always abound in your life and flourish in your homes. And may the Eucharist…be the center of our life, the source of our happiness and holiness (St. John Paul II, Homily, Feb. 2, 1981).
LET US THEN THANK AND LOVE OUR LORD BY LOVING THE HOLY EUCHARIST WHERE HE IS TRULY, REALLY AND SUBSTANTIALLY PRESENT FOR OUR SAKE AND FOR LOVE. JESUS IS TELLING US: STAY WITH ME. AND IF WE DO, THE LONGINGS OF OUR HEART BURNING WITH DESIRE WILL BE SATISFIED.
A Blessed Sunday and week ahead! Fr. Rolly Arjonillo
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