“WHAT SORT OF THINGS?” 3RD Sunday of Easter (A) 19 April 2026
Two disciples of Jesus on their way from Jerusalem to Emmaus seven miles away suddenly found themselves with a companion. Though this companion was the focus and subject of all they had been talking about, they did not recognize him. In fine conversational mode, Jesus asking them what they were conversing about left them totally surprised, especially since Jesus too seemed to have been coming from Jerusalem and is headed in the same direction as they were.
They asked the obvious question why he’s the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know what has been going on there. Jesus’ response in not without humor: “What sort of things?” He had been right in the middle of all that was happening there. I’ve sometimes wondered what went on in the minds and hearts of these two disciples not only that evening, but in the months and years that followed!
This instance in Christ’s post resurrection life speaks volumes to any of our lives as we live by faith amid the unique circumstances of our own time day after day. The Lord Jesus is ever drawing near to each one of us amid whatever conversations we may be having with our brothers or sisters, whether within or outside the monastery. Christ’s resurrected presence has no limits of space and time. He draws near to us in whatever circumstances we may find ourselves.
While monks observe silence, our hearts are ever to be attentive to God’s presence is inviting us to live in accord with the image and likeness in which we have been made. We also engage in conversation so as to work together as best we can. In fact, we are continually communicating with one another by word, gestures, body language, or even by the thoughts going on in the depths of our hearts. What a gift to do so in a Christ-like way!
As our first reading reminds us of this morning, God has raised Jesus up “releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it. Jesus is no longer confined by space and time but free to move around and within the hearts of every human being. As we live by faith, we become ever more attuned to this presence.
Then St Peter has reminded us how we are to conduct ourselves with reverence during the time of our sojourning, “realizing that we were ransomed from our futile conduct “with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb.” As we live in the awareness of this tender and loving initiative of God, our lives radiate Christ’s own. And even in a more wonderful way , we are empowered to draw out this Christ presence in all those around us.
Just as the two disciples on their way to Emmaus, we may find our hearts burning within us as we hear Christ becoming present and speaking in and through us to our sisters and brothers. After all, we are all on the way and want to be living witnesses to all that we have seen and heard.
The breaking of the Bread at this Altar is something that is to go on all day long in each and all our lives together. The divine life that we have come to share in at our Baptism, is meant to flourish in the whole of our lives together. May we be ever more grateful for this living presence of our resurrected Lord among us.
Acts 2:13,22-33; 1 Pet 1:17-21; Luke 24:13-35