Cathedral Family,
This weekend, we hear the Easter masterpiece story typically referred to as the “Road to Emmaus.” The discouraged, downtrodden two unnamed disciples are leaving Jerusalem and headed to Emmaus to return to the practical things of the world, since their hope was dashed in Jesus being the Messiah-He died.
It was in their discouragement that Christ appeared to them and discussed all that had happened. In these conversations, the disciples yearned for Jesus to “stay with them.” Jesus and the disciples later gathered for an evening meal together, where Jesus took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them. In this moment, “Thereupon, He Vanished.”
This story is often described as the celebration of Mass. Jesus walking with the disciples parallels the experience of the Liturgy of the Word, when Christ speaks to His people through the words of the scriptures, thereby evangelizing them. Like these two disciples, the Word should warm our hearts as it did for them and give us the desire for communion with Him. When Jesus later broke bread with the disciples, this experience mirrors the Liturgy of the Eucharist that we have at every Mass. When Jesus broke the bread and vanished—the Church has always understood that he did not leave us, but rather is now present to us in the sacraments—principally the Holy Eucharist.
Today, Jesus journeys with us—even if our eyes do not fully recognize Him — in the hope that we and others will know the love of God. This past Easter Vigil, we celebrated 14 new Catholics entering the Church. Every one of their stories included someone who walked with them on their journey. No one comes to full faith without the living faith of others.
Please join me this Wednesday night at 7:00 pm for a continuing presentation: “Into the Deep.” I am going to present on “Obstacles to Living a Life of Faith.” We will explore how inner conflict, conflict around us, and the presence of the Evil One can seek to deter our commitment to the Lord. All conversions of life, but especially new conversion is particularly vulnerable to attack. By looking at some of the lives of heroic saints and trusted guides in times of trouble, we will seek to affirm our Easter faith that Christ overcomes all darkness!
I also ask that you keep our Confirmation candidates in your prayers. This coming Saturday we will celebrate the sealing of the Holy Spirit upon 103 young people. Confirmation is not an end, but a radical beginning. When the world offers many empty promises of happiness, Jesus promises us a fulfilled life, a cross to carry, and, in the end, the grace of eternal life! Your prayers will be needed to assist them on their new journey as fully initiated Catholics.
Let us continue to engage in the joy of the Easter season. The world needs you to be the light!
In Jesus,
Father Christy