April 19, 2026
Third Sunday of Easter
Gospel: Luke 24:13-35

Today is the Third Sunday of Easter. The Gospel passage from St. Luke describes the account of Jesus walking with the disciples on their way to Emmaus.

As these two disciples journeyed toward Emmaus, they were talking together when Jesus drew near and walked with them. Yet their eyes were kept from recognizing Him (see: Lk 24:16). The reason they could not see Him was their confusion about the future, their disappointment in all that had transpired. They had longed for a Messiah to lead them in rebellion against the Roman Empire—they had placed great hope in Jesus, only to see Him crucified. When they heard from the women that Jesus had risen and appeared to them, they were even more astonished, for in their view, it seemed like an illusion, a mere mirage.

What happened to the two disciples at Emmaus can also happen to us. Our emotions are often swayed by the world around us; when this fickle world undergoes great upheavals, a desire to escape it stirs in our hearts. As this thought grows stronger, our actions will face the world with the same pessimism as the two disciples traveling from Jerusalem to Emmaus that day (see: Lk 24:13-17). When this pessimism and negativity reach a peak, we will, like Cleopas, pour out our sorrow through our words to those we live with day by day (see: Lk 24:18-24). In our minds, sharing our inner grief with others will bring some comfort to our troubled hearts.

Today, the Risen Lord Jesus met with them—and He will also come to us in a form accessible to our perception. He does not come to accuse, but to accompany, explaining all that has happened according to His holy will. When we choose to understand this under the illumination of God’s Word, we will recognize the Risen Lord in every moment of our lives, proclaim Him rightly to the world, and live worthily as the Risen Lord desires.

May your people exult for ever, O God,
in renewed youthfulness of spirit,
so that, rejoicing now in the restored glory of our adoption,
we may look forward in confident hope
to the rejoicing of the day of resurrection.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica