3rd Sunday of Easter – Year A

April 23, 2023

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Gospel Haiku

Easter 3A

Two walked to Emmaus,
Heart heavy with grief and doubts.
Jesus joined their walk.

The stranger spoke words,
Opening up scripture’s truth,
Hope dawned on their hearts.

As they shared a meal,
Jesus broke bread and they knew,
Their Lord had risen.

With joy and new faith,
The two returned to their friends,
Jesus lives! He reigns!

MORE POETRY

3rd Sunday of Easter – Year A

April 23, 2023

By: Lawrence Mick

APRIL 30, 2017 / NCR SUNDAY RESOURCES

Today’s Gospel of the encounter on the way to Emmaus offers a prime opportunity for some mystagogical preaching on the Eucharist. This rich passage illuminates a number of aspects of the Eucharist that might be the basis of preaching and reflection.

One area, is the link between the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The story makes it obvious that Christ is present in both. Does your assembly recognize Christ’s presence in the word as clearly as in the Eucharist? If not, that might determine your focus this week.

On the other hand, if they are used to good preaching, some people may actually respond more powerfully to Christ’s presence in the word than they do to the second half of the Mass.

Is there need for some catechesis on the nature and importance of the eucharistic prayer? Does your faith community understand the purpose of the Lord’s Prayer, sign of peace, and Lamb of God as part of the preparation for receiving Communion? Does the assembly understand the meaning of Communion and its communal nature? Do they maintain a common posture and sing the Communion song until all have received? Do most people receive both the body and the blood of Christ? Is there need for reflection on the fullness of these symbols and the reasons that Vatican II restored Communion under both species? Does the assembly recognize the intimate link between the celebration of the Eucharist and the mission to which they are sent each week?

EUCHARIST CATECHESIS

Besides the homily, how might you catechize the assembly regarding the Eucharist? Consider these offerings: Include in the bulletin a full page insert featuring various topics every week during the season. Provide evening reflections with a meal, presentation and discussion.

You might print the insights of Pope John Paul II in today’s bulletin:

“We cannot delude ourselves: by our mutual love and, in particular, by our concern for those in need we will be recognized as true followers of Christ. (cf. Jn 13:35; Mt 25:31-46) This will be the criterion by which the authenticity of our Eucharistic celebrations is judged” (Mane Nobiscum Domine #28).

Part of the purpose of mystagogy for the newly baptized is to help them integrate their new faith into daily living. That’s also a challenge for all the baptized — no matter how long ago they celebrated that sacrament.

Along with Easter hymns, what Communion hymns might help people reflect more deeply on the meaning of the Eucharist? What petitions might draw upon the Eucharist itself, praying that we might live more fully what we celebrate on Sunday?

Liturgy Prayers

By: Joan DeMerchant

Introduction

The challenging questions continue. How do we encounter this risen Christ? Where do we find him? Our search is no different from our early Christian brothers and sisters. When they broke bread together in the Eucharist, they realized that he was there. By participating in this holy meal as members of a believing community, we experience that same presence among us. We learn about the power of being with one another in the simplest gestures of life. What could be more universal than breaking bread together — whether at an altar or an ordinary table?

Penitential Act

Lord Jesus, you joined your disciples on the road to Emmaus: Lord, have mercy.

Christ Jesus, you listened to them and heard their concerns: Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you revealed yourself in the breaking of the bread: Lord, have mercy.

Prayer of the Faithful

Presider Let us pray for the world that needs the presence of the risen Christ.

Minister For the church: May we recognize Christ’s presence in every eucharistic celebration … we pray,

For Christians who are deprived of celebrating the Eucharist — especially where there is war, poverty or the lack of pastoral leaders … we pray,

For those who are responsible for communicating the importance of the Eucharist: for parents, guardians, godparents and catechists … we pray,

For individuals and organizations that provide bread for the hungry or that advocate for the most vulnerable among us … we pray,

For children who are preparing to celebrate their first Communion, and for new recipients of the Eucharist … we pray,

For those who cannot be present in this celebration because of illness, work, lack of transportation or any kind of disability … we pray,

Presider God of abundance: We are grateful for this eucharistic feast in which Jesus is made known to us. Make us worthy participants in every celebration of the breaking of the bread. Open our hearts to Christ’s ongoing presence among us. We pray in the name of him who is with us always on the road of life. Amen.