READINGS FOR THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR A, SUNDAY 19TH APRIL, 2026.
First Reading: Acts 2:14, 22-33
Psalm: 15
Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:17-21
Gospel: Luke 24:13-35
REFLECTION BY FR CORNELIUS NWAOGWUGWU, CM.
THE RISEN JESUS CHRIST IS ALWAYS WITH US.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
A sincere welcome to the Third Sunday of Easter, Year A. Inspired by the spirit of today’s liturgical celebration, I bring to you the Good News of encouragement, hope and joy.
It is fascinating to know that no matter what happens in our lives, the risen Jesus is always with us. God will not abandon us when we are hurt, disappointed or in need. God is near to those who seek Him and who want to live in His presence, doing His will.
Jesus desires to walk with each of us in some mysterious ways. In support of this view, the Bible describes how we can encounter God in unexpected ways. The book of Genesis describes how Abraham, entertained three angels in a strange way. (Genesis 18:1-15). The Acts of the Apostles describes how Saul of Tarsus met Jesus on the road to Damascus. Jesus got Saul’s attention by knocking him to the ground and striking him blind. (Acts 9:1-31).
Today’s First Reading, describes the beginning of Peter’s first public proclamation about Jesus. Peter narrates to the gathered people how God raised Jesus from death. Peter confirmed that the resurrection of Jesus fulfils the Messianic prophecies about the promised descendant of David. (Acts 2:14, 22-33).
In the Second Reading, Peter exhorts the early Church to place their faith and hope in God who has saved them through the precious Blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. Peter confirmed that the death and resurrection of Jesus was part of God’s plan from all eternity. He encouraged and strengthened the faith and hope of the people in Jesus Christ who accepted those sufferings as an act of redemption for all humankind. From this reassuring truth, Christians should sense God’s providence, both in their own current situations and throughout their lives. Peter urged all Christians to understand the place of their present struggles in a wider context. The root of our faith must be in the resurrection of Jesus. Peter urges that it is essential for everyone in the Christian community to experience the risen Jesus, alive and present in everyday life. (1 Peter 1:17-21).
The Gospel according to Luke narrates a beautiful story of the unexpected and radical self-disclosure of Jesus to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. The two disciples of Jesus were discouraged and devastated. They set out on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus and were overtaken by a stranger going along the same road. They began to speak to the stranger about all that had occurred in the Holy City during the previous week. As they continued their journey, Jesus explained how the Scriptures had foretold everything He accomplished and endured, including the purpose behind His death and resurrection. (Luke 24:13-35).
The Jewish custom required that Cleopas and his companion invite Jesus to dinner. Hence, they invited Jesus for a night’s rest in their house and Jesus accepted the invitation. During the meal, when Jesus broke the bread and gave it to them, the disciples realized that this stranger was Jesus, the risen Christ and Jesus immediately disappeared. Later they said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us when he opened up the Scriptures to us?” Since they could not keep the Good News to themselves, the disciples walked back seven miles to Jerusalem to share their story with the other disciples.
Reflecting on the reasons for which the disciples of Jesus were unable to recognize him when he met them on the road to Emmaus, I realized that discouragement and hopelessness could throw any person into complete confusion and disillusion.
In our state of hopelessness, Jesus Christ continues to walk with us. He continues to teach us his words of wisdom to open our minds to the realities of his truth. Jesus Christ reveals himself to us through our brothers and sisters who are in great need and on the margins of society. Jesus walks with us all the time. Is our faith strong enough to recognise him?
Like the disciples of Jesus, our hope can be challenged. We can walk without hope. In such a situation, can we recognize Jesus Christ in anything? How can we have an encounter with Jesus? Do we have any memory of Jesus Christ? In what ways can we recognise Jesus Christ in the Eucharist? How can we experience Jesus in our service for the poor and our relationship with each other? The two disciples had a memory of him and that was why they recognised him at the breaking of the Bread. Unfortunately, that was too late. Jesus disappeared from their sight as soon as they recognised him. Let us, therefore, with the perception of His presence, walk with Jesus, talk with Him, depend on Him, worship Him, and tell others about Him.
We pray, that in our moments of discouragement and hopelessness, God may open our eyes and minds to recognize that “the Lamb that was sacrificed is worthy to be given power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory and blessing” now forever. Amen. Above all, may God restore us to live with courage, hope and joy through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Fr. Cornelius Nwaogwugwu, CM.