Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 24, 2019
Psalm 105
1Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!2Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!3Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!4Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!5Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,6O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones!7He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.8He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,9the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac,10which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant,11saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan as your portion for an inheritance."12When they were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it,13wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people,14he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account,15saying, "Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!"16When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread,17he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave.18His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron;19until what he had said came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him.20The king sent and released him; the ruler of the peoples set him free;21he made him lord of his house and ruler of all his possessions,22to bind his princes at his pleasure and to teach his elders wisdom.23Then Israel came to Egypt; Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.24And the LORD made his people very fruitful and made them stronger than their foes.25He turned their hearts to hate his people, to deal craftily with his servants.26He sent Moses, his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen.27They performed his signs among them and miracles in the land of Ham.28He sent darkness, and made the land dark; they did not rebel against his words.29He turned their waters into blood and caused their fish to die.30Their land swarmed with frogs, even in the chambers of their kings.31He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, and gnats throughout their country.32He gave them hail for rain, and fiery lightning bolts through their land.33He struck down their vines and fig trees, and shattered the trees of their country.34He spoke, and the locusts came, young locusts without number,35which devoured all the vegetation in their land and ate up the fruit of their ground.36He struck down all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their strength.37Then he brought out Israel with silver and gold, and there was none among his tribes who stumbled.38Egypt was glad when they departed, for dread of them had fallen upon it.39He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light by night.40They asked, and he brought quail, and gave them bread from heaven in abundance.41He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river.42For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham, his servant.43So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing.44And he gave them the lands of the nations, and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples' toil,45that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws. Praise the LORD!
Gospel: Luke 24.13-35
13That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem,14and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.15While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.16But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.17And he said to them, "What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad.18Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?"19And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,20and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.21But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.22Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning,23and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.24Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."25And he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!26Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?"27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.28So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther,29but they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them.30When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.31And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.32They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?"33And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,34saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"35Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Sermon
In today's Gospel, we encounter two disciples on the road to Emmaus, their hearts heavy with grief and confusion following the crucifixion of Jesus. As they walk, they are joined by a stranger who is, unbeknownst to them, the risen Jesus. Their conversation reveals their shattered hopes, as they had believed Jesus to be the Messiah who would redeem Israel. Jesus listens patiently, then opens their eyes to the Scriptures, revealing how his journey of suffering and resurrection was foretold. As they reach Emmaus, Jesus breaks bread with them, and in that moment, they recognize him. He vanishes, leaving them to rush back to Jerusalem, eager to share the news of his resurrection.
This passage is set in the context of the days following the crucifixion, a time of despair and confusion for the disciples. Luke's narrative emphasizes the fulfillment of Scripture, as Jesus himself guides the disciples through the Old Testament, highlighting how his life, death, and resurrection were part of God's plan. The story underscores the importance of faith and understanding through the lens of Scripture, even in moments of darkness.
In our daily lives, we may often feel like these disciples—struggling to recognize God's presence amidst our trials. Yet, just as Jesus walked with them, he is with us, guiding us through life's challenges. The Eucharist, as seen in the breaking of bread, reminds us of the nourishment and grace we receive to sustain our faith. Let us, like the disciples, find joy in recognizing God's presence in our lives and in the community of believers. May we remain faithful, support one another, and always seek to understand God's plan, trusting in His divine providence.