Dear parishioners of Blessed Sacrament and visitors,

During the Easter Season, the Church presents us with scripture passages each Sunday that highlight how the Risen Lord made Himself known, not to all people, but through chosen witnesses, as we read in Acts 10:41.

Today's Gospel specifically recounts how Jesus appeared to two of His disciples on the way to Emmaus. These disciples were feeling completely discouraged, discussing how their great hopes were dashed by the crucifixion of the Lord. They were dejected, disillusioned, and despondent. The report from some women regarding the resurrection did not seem sufficient to convince them.

Like the two disciples, many of us often find ourselves on our own journeys to Emmaus, feeling discouraged and disillusioned. Some may be facing health challenges, financial stress, or broken relationships, which can lead to doubts about God's presence in our lives or the effectiveness of prayer. In these difficult times, we do not have to travel this road alone. We must invite Jesus to join us on our journey and discover the richness of His presence. But how do we encounter Him?

We must seek out Jesus, not only in the breaking of the bread but also in the Word of God. If we meditate on the Word of God with open hearts and minds, we will not fail to understand that the path to Calvary leads to the heavenly Jerusalem. Jesus will lead us to this truth, just as He reassured the two disciples by asking, "Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into His glory?" In other words, He was suggesting, "Should we not expect to experience trials and difficulties in life in order to attain eternal happiness?"

The core message is that the two disciples struggled-perhaps even unwillingly-to grasp that death and resurrection, passion and glory are inseparably linked. The crucifixion serves as the precursor to exaltation. This connection is often to0 challenging for people to comprehend; it has been throughout history. Just as hunger makes a meal enjoyable, fatigue leads to restful sleep, and night precedes day, so happiness often follows suffering. Joy typically arrives in the afternoon of sorrow.

The Gospel today also tells us: "As they came near to the village to which they were going, Jesus walked ahead as if He were going on. But they urged Him strongly, saying, 'Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.' So, He went in to stay with them."

Similarly, we must invite Jesus to stay with us, as He longs to enter our hearts. However, He does not force Himself upon us. He says, "I am standing at the door, knocking: if you hear My voice and open the door, I willcome in to you and eat with you, and you with Me" (Rev. 3:20). Jesus is patiently waiting for you to remove the sinful barriers that prevent Him from entering your heart through Communion. He awaits your openness in prayer, meditation, reflection, and stillness, encouraging you to speak and listen to Him. He desires that you open your heart by reading His Word, accepting His message, and showing compassion, patience, forgiveness, and love toward others. By doing this, He will enter our houses-yes, our hearts-and stay with us.

May He stay with us and accompany us on our life's journey, just as He did with the disciples of Emmaus. May He remain with us, especially during the evening of our lives, until the eternal light dawns on us in the heavenly Jerusalem.

Sincerely yours in the Risen Lord,

Fr. Thomas Kagumisa

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