Third Sunday of Easter — April 19, 2026
The third Sunday of Easter could quite rightly be called Divine Mercy Sunday II. For here we see, in the Emmaus story, the tender mercy of Jesus rescuing two more of His disciples from their slowness to believe in His Resurrection. Last week it was doubt-stricken Thomas; before that it was grief-stricken Mary of Magdala. Today it is Cleopas and his unnamed companion. How Jesus loves to stoop down to His frail disciples, to instruct and strengthen and uplift them! At first “something prevented them from recognising Him.” Yet Jesus patiently walks the seven miles to Emmaus with them, listening and explaining the Scriptures about Himself. It is at the evening meal when Jesus blesses, breaks and shares the bread that their eyes are opened and they recognise Him. Then He vanishes.
The Emmaus story occurs in detail only in the gospel of Luke. Why this richer narrative? First, to emphasize the incredulity of the disciples. The women's report of an empty tomb has done little to awaken faith. They haven't advanced much since Jesus Himself told them that He would die then rise again. Secondly, this Lucan passage shows the role of Scripture in preparing hearts and minds for the Resurrection. It did not come out of nowhere. “Christ's Resurrection is the fulfillment of both the Old Testament and of Jesus Himself during His earthly life.” [CCC652] Jesus calls the Emmaus pair “foolish men” because they have failed to believe not only in the Scriptural forecast of the Resurrection but also in the power of God to do it.
It takes Jesus himself to turn things around, to take what they once found “obscure” and make it clear. He opens minds. So wonderful is this awakening of understanding and faith in them that the disciples describe it as a spiritual 'fire'. “Did not our hearts burn within us as He talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” A similar thing will happen later, on the shore of Tiberias, when the disciples do not realize it is Jesus standing there. Not until Jesus miraculously fills their net with fish is the veil lifted. John cries out, “It is the Lord.” Peter jumps into the water! We come back to the merciful love of Jesus who does not leave His followers to wander in the dark. He comes, He gives a signal and behold, they see Him, the Risen Lord.
It is a pattern for us to think about. When does Jesus appear to me in my life and I fail to recognize Him? Then there is a signal. As simple as hearing our name, a piece of Scripture that sets us alight again, a personal little 'miracle' and the veil is lifted. We see Him as He is. Our response is just as simple - “Rabbuni … it is you Lord.'
— GM
Unknown artist, The Road to Emmaus: Christ walking with two disciples, public domain devotional artwork based on Luke 24:13–35.