3A EASTER HOMILY, LUKE 24:13-35, APRIL 19, 2026
By: Fr. Vincent Corbelli, MM
1. STORY
John was a
businessman, who on weekends would take a few poor children out for an
enjoyable day. First, he would buy them some new clothes, then would take them
to see a good movie or go to an amusement park and finally end the day with a
tasty meal.
One day after
finishing a delicious meal, one of the young children asked John if he was
Jesus. John smiled and said no. The boy said that he knew that Jesus helped
people and thought that as John always helped people, he might be Jesus. The boy knew Jesus as one who helped people.
2. GOSPEL: JOHN
24:13-35
A) THE DISCIPLES
DID NOT RECOGNIZE JESUS
While they were
walking to a village named Emmaus, the two disciples were discussing what had
happened to Jesus in Jerusalem during the past few days. Though Jesus walked along with them, they did
not recognize him as being the risen Jesus.
B) JESUS HELPING
THEM TO RECOGNIZE THAT HE WAS THE RISEN JESUS
Jesus helped them
in two ways.
i) He explained
the meaning of the bible, “Beginning then, with Moses and all the prophets, he
interpreted for them every passage of the Scripture which referred to him.”
ii) He celebrated
the Eucharist with them. “He took bread,
pronounced the blessing, then broke the bread and began to distribute it to
them.” He took bread, pronounced the
blessing, then broke the bread and began to distribute it to them. With that their eyes were open and they
recognized him.”
3. APPLICATION TO
LIFE
A) MANY DO NOT
RECOGNIZE JESUS
Many believe that
Jesus does not exist. Others believe
that if Jesus is God, he is not concerned about us and does not help us as they
cite the many problems in the world. Many
believe that Jesus lived 2,000 years ago and in no way can help us today.
B) WE HELP OTHERS
TO RECOGNIZE JESUS
We recognize a
policeman, a nurse, or a priest by the uniform they wear. We recognize Jesus in the following ways:
i) By those who
are kind, caring, and helpful to others such as Mother Teresa who spent her
life in helping the poor; in St. Pope John Paul II who was a caring shepherd
who preached the gospel throughout the world; in a gentle parent, a kind
teacher, or a patient nurse.
ii) We recognize
Jesus in the word of God, the Eucharist, and in our prayers. We also help people to see Jesus when we are
helpful, kind, patient, caring, and forgiving toward others.
4. CONCLUSION
The children
thought John might be Jesus as he was so kind and caring toward them. The disciples only recognized Jesus after he
had helped them by explaining the Scriptures to them and sharing the Eucharist
with them. Today we recognize Jesus in
those who help others such as Mother Teresa, St. Pope John Paul II, a caring
parent, a kind teacher, or a patient nurse. We help others to see Jesus by our kind words
and helpful actions.
