The Third Sunday of Easter  
The Gospel of this Sunday - the Third of Easter - is the famous account of the disciples of Emmaus (cf. Lk 24: 13-35). It tells the tale of two followers of Christ who, on the day after the Sabbath or the third day after his death, were leaving Jerusalem sad and dejected, bound for a village that was not far off called, precisely, Emmaus. They were joined on their way by the Risen Jesus but did not recognize him. Realizing that they were downhearted, he explained, drawing on the Scriptures, that the Messiah had to suffer and die in order to enter into his glory. Then entering the house with them, he sat down to eat, blessed the bread and broke it; and at that instant they recognized him but he vanished from their sight, leaving them marvelling before that broken bread, a new sign of his presence. And they both immediately headed back to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples of the event.
 
The locality of Emmaus has not been identified with certainty. There are various hypotheses and this one is not without an 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. In the disciples' conversation with the unknown wayfarer the words the evangelist Luke puts in the mouth of one of them are striking: "We had hoped..." (Lk 24: 21). This verb in the past tense tells all: we believed, we followed, we hoped..., but now everything is over. Even Jesus of Nazareth, who had shown himself in his words and actions to be a powerful prophet, has failed, and we are left disappointed. This drama of the disciples of Emmaus appears like a reflection of the situation of many Christians of our time: it seems that the hope of faith has failed. Faith itself enters a crisis because of negative experiences that make us feel abandoned and betrayed even by the Lord. But this road to Emmaus on which we walk can become the way of a purification and maturation of our belief in God. Also today we can enter into dialogue with Jesus, listening to his Word. Today too he breaks bread for us and gives himself as our Bread. And so the meeting with the Risen Christ that is possible even today gives us a deeper and more authentic faith tempered, so to speak, by the fire of the Paschal Event; a faith that is robust because it is nourished not by human ideas but by the Word of God and by his Real Presence in the Eucharist.
 
This marvellous Gospel text already contains the structure of Holy Mass: in the first part, listening to the Word through the Sacred Scriptures; in the second part, the Eucharistic liturgy and communion with Christ present in the Sacrament of his Body and his Blood. In nourishing herself at this two-fold table, the Church is constantly built up and renewed from day to day in faith, hope and charity. Through the intercession of Mary Most Holy, let us pray that in reliving the experience of the disciples of Emmaus every Christian and every community may rediscover the grace of the transforming encounter with the Risen Lord.
 
– Pope Benedict XVI, Regina Caeli on April 6, 2008
 
Christ is Risen!  He is Risen, Indeed!
 
Happy Easter! 

This reflection on the 3^rd Sunday of Easter Gospel Passage from Pope Benedict XVI gives us a moment to both consider the impact of the presence of the Risen Christ and to confront some of the difficulties of hope/faith in times that are filled with doubts and struggles.  It seems to me that we find ourselves, spiritually close to the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus – discouraged in what should be a time of rejoicing, because our lives are cloaked in anxiety, frustration, and so many limitations.  We need a renewal in Christian Hope (to meet the one who gives us a fresh and significant understanding of our life) a moment with the Lord Jesus, the one who is both crucified and risen.  Because, these strange days can be discouraging I would like to once again implore the call for this time to be embraced uniquely as a surprising moment of retreat, as we did in previous weeks.  We can continue to use the guideline of our Lenten Retreat – prayer, listening to the Word of God, and penance.  These principles will increase our life of grace even as we engage the weeks of Easter.  Perhaps, this Lenten Method is needed for each of us today, especially as we confront the temptations of our isolations.  Yes, we pray during the Church’s Preperation Seasons (Lent and Advent) … but, in the times of God’s Revelation (Easter and Christmas) our habit of prayer can quickly wain – yet, these are the weeks that we have so diligently prepared for through prayer and fasting!  With these days we are renewed in the abundance of God’s Mercy, the incredible foundation of our Hope.
 
Our former Holy Father diligently considered the topic of Hope in his Encyclical Letter Spe Salvi – an in depth treatment on this most important topic.  Within it, Pope Benedict XVI offered the following insight connecting Prayer and Hope:  “A first essential setting for learning hope is prayer. When no one listens to me any more, God still listens to me. When I can no longer talk to anyone or call upon anyone, I can always talk to God. When there is no longer anyone to help me deal with a need or expectation that goes beyond the human capacity for hope, he can help me[25]. When I have been plunged into complete solitude ...; if I pray I am never totally alone. The late Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan, a prisoner for thirteen years, nine of them spent in solitary confinement, has left us a precious little book: Prayers of Hope. During thirteen years in jail, in a situation of seemingly utter hopelessness, the fact that he could listen and speak to God became for him an increasing power of hope, which enabled him, after his release, to become for people all over the world a witness to hope—to that great hope which does not wane even in the nights of solitude.” ( Spe Salvi, §32)
 
Prayer is necessary for us at all times, because we are a people of hope: we are Easter People.
 

 
Sunday, a day set apart for the Worship of God
 

Let us remain faithful to the precepts of the Word of God, keeping this day as our Sabbath.  First  I would reference my post from earlier in Lent – “To whom shall we go?” – it has a bunch of suggestions, links, and helps.
 
Further, I would suggested either participating in a live-stream Holy Mass (there is always EWTN, among others) or prayerfully reading the Scriptures of the Day – here is an at home liturgy with prayers and readings – and, be sure to pray a Spiritual Communion. Also, I would make time for the Rosary.
 
And… there is always Fr. Mike Schmitz – for insightful videos and Holy Mass – as well as the YouTube Channel of The Diocese of Harrisburg.
 
NEW PRAYER BOOK… from the Vatican
 
Just a few days ago, in response to the pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 the Vatican has published a free and on-line prayer book to help the faithful.  It will be updated, currently available in several languages and is nearly 200 pages.  The title of the text is: “Strong in the Face of Tribulation: The Church in Communion – a Sure Support in Time of Trial”.
 
There is an article on this unique publication through Catholic News Agency, from April 22, 2020.
 
With the full document linked HERE.
 
A final word…
 
It is essential that we remain a people of prayer, that our faithfulness match our circumstances because our hope is not founded upon the situation of this age but on the truth of the Risen Christ.  It does not escape me that these days are difficult, with so many days characterized by anxiety, stresses, and confusion.  But, it is imperative that each of us choose to seek the Risen Lord now, to give the Lord our God the priority that He deserves in our hearts, minds, and in our daily schedules… perhaps this is continuing your good habit of frequent prayer at home, or perhaps it is choosing to make this a new habit. 
 
Please, pray for the swift end to this public health situation and the recovery of health for the sick.  Also, please keep medical professionals, leaders, those who serve the common good, and vulnerable persons in your prayers during these challenging days.  Let us entrust ourselves and our petitions to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God.
 
 
Christ is Risen!  He is Risen, Indeed!
 
 
 
Know of my prayers for you, please pray for me!
 
Father Wilke
 
Saint Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer, pray for us!