Luke 24:13
"Two of Jesus' disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus."
Third Sunday of Easter Readings: Acts, 1 Peter, Luke
Reflection:
The question is simple but revealing: “Do you always have communion?” For many Christians, the answer is no. Yet in the Catholic Church, the answer is almost always yes. Why? In a word: Jesus. The Eucharist is not merely a symbol or reminder—it is truly Jesus himself. And if the Eucharist is Jesus, the real question becomes: do we always want him?
The story of the road to Emmaus offers a powerful lens for understanding this mystery. Two disciples, discouraged and confused after the Crucifixion, are literally walking away from Jerusalem. Though they had heard reports of the Resurrection, they could not believe. Jesus joins them, but they do not recognize him. Only later, at table, when he takes bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to them, are their eyes opened. In that moment—the breaking of the bread—they recognize him.
This is more than a miracle story; it is a teaching. The Gospel of Luke is showing us that the risen Jesus is made known in what we now call the Eucharist. Like the disciples, we may not see him with our eyes.
The Eucharist looks like bread and wine. But its reality is transformed—this is what the Church calls transubstantiation. What appears ordinary is, in truth, extraordinary: the living Christ.
The response of the disciples is immediate. They return to Jerusalem, back to the community, back to faith. Their encounter changes everything.
So what should we do? If we truly believe the Eucharist is Jesus, then we should seek him—every Sunday, and even more often. We should prepare our hearts through confession and spend time with him in adoration. The question is no longer whether communion is offered, but whether we are ready to receive. How deeply do we desire him?
Reflection Questions
- If the Eucharist is truly Jesus and not just a symbol, how would that change the way I approach Mass and receiving communion?
- In what ways am I like the disciples on the road to Emmaus—distracted, doubtful, or “walking away”—and how might I become more open to recognizing Jesus in my life?
- What practical steps can I take (such as attending Mass regularly, going to confession, or spending time in adoration) to deepen my relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist?