Third Sunday of Easter, Year A – Homily (2026)
3rd Sunday of Easter, Year A
Acts 2:14, 22-33
Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 (11a)
1 Peter 1:17-21
Luke 24:13-35
April 19, 2026
After the tomb of Jesus’ was found empty, the disciples gathered in a locked room in fear of the Jews. Now, we hear that Peter stands up and proclaims the gospel. What has changed?
Peter has encountered the Risen Jesus and received the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that gives him the courage to proclaim what God has done through Jesus for them and for us. Peter shows the fruit of joy from the Holy Spirit in his proclamation. He bears witness to what he has seen in Jesus’ deeds and Resurrection.
Peter also spoke that day of “the set plan and foreknowledge of God.” How did Peter come to confidence in God’s plan when he was among the disciples in the locked room?
We find part of the answer in today’s gospel. This gospel takes us back to the day of the Resurrection. Much had happened. Jesus had been crucified and his tomb was empty. The disciples are confused and fail to understand what has happened.
Two of them leave Jerusalem and were walking on the way to Emmaus. One might wonder if they have lost their faith.
We find them “conversing about all the things that had happened.” They are doing exactly what they should be doing. They are talking about Jesus. How often do you talk about Jesus?
Jesus comes to them “but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.” He asks what they are discussing. They are amazed He asks. They cannot imagine anyone talking about anything else. What happened to Jesus is too important to talk about anything else.
What do you find more important than Jesus to talk about?
The two disciples tell him what has happened. They say they had been hoping Jesus would be the Messiah. Their faith may seem dashed but there is hope.
They tell Jesus the tomb was found empty and that angels announced that Jesus was alive. They are confused yet they show hope. They do not understand but they have some faith.
Jesus helps them understand. He takes the Scriptures and shows them how his Passion was in complete accord with God’s plan as foretold by the prophets.
Their hearts were burning with what Jesus reveals to them. They are coming to a greater faith without realizing it is Jesus himself who is speaking to them.
As Jesus begins to part company with them, they do not what the experience to end. They know they are experiencing something wonderful and invite Jesus to stay with them.
What Jesus has done this far models the first half of Mass for us, the Liturgy of the Word. He shared God’s Word with them and helped them understand. This is what we do at Mass when we listen to God’s Word and the homily that follows.
The two disciples did not want the experience to end. What does sharing in the Word of God mean for you? Do you want it to end?
Jesus then did something more with them. “He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him.”
After the Liturgy of the Word at Mass, in the second half of Mass, we too break bread according to the Words of Jesus. We call it the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Do you recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread?
Do you understand that when we celebrate Eucharist, we are celebrating the Sacrifice of Jesus’ giving his life for us on the Cross?
Do you believe that the bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus?
We may not understand how this happens but we can believe. I think back to when I was in the fifth grade around 46 years ago. We were one of those families where mom took us to Sunday School but then we did not always stay for Mass. My Sunday School teacher would invite us to go to Mass with her if our families did not go. One day, when mom was picking us up after Sunday School, I asked her if I could stay to go to Mass with my teacher. Mom said yes. I remember being at Mass and knowing in my heart that something very special was going on. Back then I did not understand what it was. Today I understand that we are celebrating the Eucharist and what that means.
Do you understand? Do you believe?
What did the two disciples do after they recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread?
They went back to the other disciples and shared what they had experienced.
Do you share what Jesus does for us on the Cross?
Do you share what we celebrate at Mass with others?
Do you share that Jesus becomes present in the bread and wine?
Do you share whatever your experience of God is with others?