We know that during most of this seven-mile walk with Jesus, the two disciples failed to recognize the true identity of their travel companion. When all three have arrived at their destination and are having supper, Jesus takes bread, blesses it, breaks it and gives it to them. All at once the two recognize him, but instantly He vanishes from their sight.

The two were empowered enough to go in haste to share the Good News with the disciples. They said to each other so beautifully and memorably, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32)

Jesus is Risen and walks with us. He is always with us in all moments of life, even when we do not recognize Him.

Peter empowered by the events of the resurrection, stood up with the eleven apostles, to proclaim Jesus as the Risen Lord and Messiah in the first reading.

Peter testified about Jesus and how His death and resurrection were also foretold by the prophets. He affirmed that Jesus had been raised from the dead, a fact to which he and the other apostles were witnesses, affirming the resurrection as a central aspect of the Christian faith.

The disciples urge us the  to live with hope and trust in our Savior’s promise of everlasting life.

Beloved, Jesus encourages us to look for him in our daily lives. He is with us in prayer, in the Eucharist, and in the people we meet.

In our celebration – and reception – of community, gathered around the table of the Lord, we are challenged to see both how Christ is present in the Eucharist and also how Christ is present in us. (St Frances de Sales).

Jesus is present when we gather around the table and share bread, yes; but this table is embodied whenever we, too, take hold of our lives, give thanks, then give our lives away.

Jesus is seen whenever people focus more on what brings them together and less upon those things that would drive them apart.

When we open our hearts to Him, our faith grows stronger. Amen.