From our Pastor’s Desk

Dear Family:

On this weekend, the Third Sunday of Easter, the Gospel shares with us another encounter between the risen Christ and two of His disciples. The word Kerygma is a Greek word that means to cry or proclaim, or to preach the Good News. After the resurrection of Jesus, his disciples proclaimed the mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus. This was why Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed the meaning of the death, crucifixion, resurrection and exaltation of Jesus in todays’ first reading from the Book of Acts. This was the first kerygmatic speech. Peter continued this kerygma in his Epistle where he emphasized the significance of the death of Christ. He reminded his readers they were ransomed by the precious blood of Christ, who was the spotless unblemished lamb (1 Peter 1:17-21).

Kerygma is different from broadcasting news or disseminating information because it connects the events of history to the economy of salvation. Kerygma is an exposition of scripture and a proclamation of Good News in the face of despair. In these times, we constantly hear “Breaking News” but far less often do we hear of the “Saving News.” Every day we are inundated by so many headlines, and it can be difficult to make sense of the many events that are unfolding in our world.

The resurrection of Jesus was the greatest saving news ever told in the history of the world. After the resurrection of Jesus, two disciples were on the road to Emmaus, a village seven miles from Jerusalem. Jesus came to join them on the journey, but they were in a state of shock and confusion about the things going on. They were downtrodden, frustrated, confused, and sad. Jesus asked, “What is this you are talking about?” and they stood still, with sadness written on their faces. They responded: “Why, it seems you are the only traveler in Jerusalem who does not know what has happened there these past few days.” Jesus further asked: “What is it?” It was at this point that Cleopas, one of the travelers, started breaking the news to this ‘ignorant stranger’ about how Jesus of Nazareth was sentenced to death and crucified. Cleopas added more breaking news about the claim of some women who found the tomb of Jesus empty and an angel who came to tell the women that Jesus had come back to life.

Cleopas was breaking news about all the events that took place but could not comprehend the meaning of this string of events. Jesus began to put the stories into perspective. He began to change the ‘breaking news’ into ‘saving news’ when he explained that the crucifixion, death and resurrection was part of Divine plan for the salvation of the human race. Hearing the saving news, their disappointment and despair turned into joy. Their hearts were touched.

“Stay with us Lord for it is evening” was the prayer of the two disciples who left Jerusalem returning to Emmaus. We recall that on Palm Sunday, all roads led to Jerusalem with the triumphant entry of Jesus. I suppose these two also left Emmaus for Jerusalem, for it was in Jerusalem everything written about Jesus would be fulfilled. Jerusalem became a place of all expectations and high hopes of the work of the Messiah. But in Jerusalem, the Messiah was killed and buried in their presence. The long-awaited Saviour is dead; all hope was lost. The two, in disappointment, were returning back to base, Emmaus. Jesus joined them on their way as they were telling the story of the work of salvation which ended they thought ended hopelessly not realizing that the death and resurrection of Jesus were already at work in their lives. Thereafter, Jesus brought them to the next stage of the encounter with him when he took bread, blessed it, broke it and shared with them. It was after breaking and sharing the bread that these travelers experienced a deep spiritual encounter that enabled them to recognize Jesus.

The breaking of the word was an enriching encounter as it made their hearts full of deep spiritual yearning. The breaking of bread opened their eyes of faith. Both experiences were so delightful that they transformed their despair into hope and happiness. They had known Jesus from a distance and now they had a close union with him. Earlier on, they heard about him, and now they encountered him more closely. It was a transforming experience that opened their eyes. They began to see the world differently.

The Emmaus experience of the two disciples captures our life experiences most times. We tend to forget easily what Jesus has done for us, and we return and relapse into the old ways (Emmaus). We live in disappointments, hopelessness, in terror and in fear because we have forgotten the power that saved us. This was the state of evening and darkness which covers the two disciples and they prayed, “stay with us Lord for it is dark”. In the appearances of Jesus after the resurrection, he would show them his wounds in his hands and feet to remind them the cost of the salvation. This time, he reminds them with his teachings and with the breaking of the bread and they quickly ran back to Jerusalem. In his Word, in the breaking of the bread, in the Holy Eucharist, Jesus remains with us to dispel the darkness of our hearts. Our land too is filled with darkness. We pray, “stay with us Lord, for it is dark”.

Jesus told them about Himself based on what Scriptures said. Then He broke bread with them. The sequence should sound familiar to a Catholic. The Holy Mass, the main celebration of every Catholic community every Sunday is structured in the same way. The Liturgy of the Word comes first. They tell us everything about God’s plan of salvation. And they also refer to the promised Messiah which was personified by the Lord Jesus. It is expected that the Word of God read to us every day, especially on Sundays, should make our hearts be moved and touched, “Burning” as the disciples had said. Then, the Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist comes immediately. The bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus, our Saviour. And, as much as we know about the Lord in Scriptures, we recognize Him in the breaking of bread.

But the recognition of the risen Lord should not end in the celebration of the Holy Mass. It should extend to our daily lives. After the Holy Mass, we are sent on a mission. Our mission is to proclaim the Good News which means the truth of the resurrection of Jesus. There is no better news than to know that our Lord has risen form the dead. This is our main teaching as Christians. Our recognition of the risen Lord in the Holy Mass should dispel our doubts and give us motivation to endure life’s challenges, especially in following the teachings of the Lord. The Easter Christian is always alive and hopeful. As a community, we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We promote peace, exercise forgiveness, and never run out of charity.

We all have our own journey on the road to Emmaus, which is the road to the recognition of the risen Lord. We need to be familiar with Scriptures. At Mass, it is important that we listen closely to the readings. They were selected to guide us and touch us with regards to our relationship with God. When we do, the breaking of bread and the reception of the Lord in communion should enliven us and make us zealous followers of the Lord.

This is the Joy of Easter! Let us rejoice and be glad being One Body, One Spirit, One Family! Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Katharine Drexel, Saint Michael the Archangel, St. José Gregorio Hernández, Pope Saint Pius X, St. Teresa of Avila, and St. Charbel, pray for us.

Yours in Christ!
Fr. Omar