3rd Sunday of Easter - B

Commentary

Luke 24: 35-48

“In the Breaking of Bread”

Jesus makes himself known to the two disciples on the way to Emmaus in the breaking of bread.  Luke writes, “It happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them.  With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him.”  (24: 31-32).

In today’s Gospel passage, which follows the Emmaus event, the two recount that experience to the other disciples.

Once the two have recognized the Risen Christ in the breaking of the break, they also recall how their hearts were “burning within [them] when he spoke to [them] on the way and opened the scriptures to [them].”

Then, the Risen Christ appears to the whole group.  He now speaks, and again, shares a meal with them.

It is still our privilege today to have the Risen Christ in our midst.  In the celebration of the Mass, he continues to stir up our hearts with his words and opens our eyes with his broken bread. 

At the end of this Gospel passage, Christ asks us to be witnesses of Him who suffered and rose.

Once our hearts have been stirred with His words and our eyes have been opened with His Breaking of the Bread, we are sent to witness to Risen Christ in the broken members of his Body.  This is the same Christ, yet in a different way of being the Broken Bread. 

Let’s pray for the grace to recognize the Risen Christ in those who are His broken body.