Greetings in Christ!

Friends, this Sunday we listen to the well-known reading of the Road to Emmaus.

We encounter two disciples walking away from Jerusalem - confused, grieving, and uncertain.

With that in mind, I would guess that each one of us has walked this road to Emmaus.

In one way or another, at some time, we have all had our hopes dashed. We too can find ourselves moving through life with heavy hearts, struggling to see the Risen Lord at work in our midst. Yet, the most extraordinary truth of our faith sines through that very story: Jesus draws near. In the midst of the darkness, He is there.

This story of the Road to Emmaus does more than present a resurrection appearance. It also presents the Mass in foundational form. In doing this, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Mass is the essential and most vivd way that we encounter Jesus now.

Notice what Jesus does first: He opens the Scriptures. In response to their doubts, He breaks open the Word of God. That is exactly what happens in the first part of Mass. God speaks through His word, the Holy Spirit, active in our hearts, and active in the homilist, helping to unlock the Word that God wants to speak to our hearts.

I often like to think that during the first part of Mass, called the Liturgy of the Word, God has one, “nugget” that He wants to give you. One key point or word that is yours to pray on.

After this, in the Liturgy of the Eucharist, we have an encounter with the Risen Christ in His Eucharistic presence.

This encounter with God both for the disciples on the Road to Emmaus and our encounter with Him at Mass should lead to the same response, we go out in joy, to share with the others the Risen Christ and offer that they come to meet Him as well.

My continued prayers for each one of you as we celebrate in this Easter Season.

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Michael Carlson, Pastor