Easter Octave Wednesday 2024 - Communal Witness, Shared Mission

The end of the Emmaus story, as recounted in the Gospel of Luke, captures a moment of profound revelation and communal joy among the disciples. After recognizing Jesus in the breaking of the bread and realizing He had been with them all along, the two disciples from Emmaus couldn't contain their excitement. Their hearts burning within them was both a metaphor for spiritual awakening but also a visceral, emotional response to encountering the Risen Lord.

Imagine their hurried journey back to Jerusalem, fueled by an urgency to share their experience. The roads that seemed so long and desolate before were now pathways of purpose and hope. Upon arriving, they find the Eleven and others gathered—sharing how the Lord appeared to Simon. Hearing this confirmation, coming from such a trusted source within their community, would only amplify their joy and astonishment.

Imagine how they were encouraged to share their own account—words tumbling over each other, hands gesturing vividly, their faces alight with awe—their excitement would be infectious. They recount every detail: their initial failure to recognize Jesus, His explanation of the Scriptures, and the moment of revelation at the dinner table. Each word would add to the growing sense of amazement and joy among the listeners.

The shared experiences of encountering the Risen Christ would forge a deep, communal bond among the disciples, uniting them in a shared mission and a renewed sense of purpose.

This Gospel is not simply about individual encounters with the Risen Christ but also about the formation of a community of believers, transformed by their experiences of the Resurrection. 

This narrative illustrates how individual faith journeys are enriched and given meaning within the context of communal belief and shared mission.

Each of us have our own faith journeys, but they are inextricably linked to each other’s. Easter is not just about my faith, but our faith—not just about my mission to witness, but our mission to witness. The Church is stronger when we are encouraging one another, praying with one another, sharing our faith with one another, and helping each other identify and strengthen our spiritual gifts.

As members of the Church, Easter invites us to reflect on our role within our communal mission. How do we contribute to the sense of community in our parish? In what ways can we support one another in our journey of faith? 

The Emmaus story reminds us that our faith is not a solitary endeavor but a communal journey towards encountering the living God. It calls us to recognize Jesus in each other, to share our stories of faith--our encounters with the Risen Lord--and to walk together in the mission entrusted to us by the Risen Lord, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Filled with Paschal joy, let us turn earnestly to God, to graciously hear our prayers and supplications.

For the shepherds of our souls, that they may have the strength to govern wisely the flock entrusted to them by the Good Shepherd.

For the whole world, that it may truly know the peace of the Risen Christ. 

For our own community, that it may bear witness with great confidence to the Resurrection of Christ, and that the newly initiated hold fast to the faith they have received. 

For our brothers and sisters who suffer, that their sorrow may be turned to gladness through the Christian faith.

That all of our beloved dead and all the souls in purgatory may come to the glory of the Resurrection.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the desires of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our lord.