Sunday homilies - 3 Easter Year A

Easter is a time of self-knowledge. Its penetrating Light allows individuals and communities to understand who they are, and where they are. Walking in the light of Christ, we understand, that time is so precious… we should utilise it well.
 
We need to tell our story to Jesus day by day
 
In our story, it is not accidental, that Jesus asks, ‘What things?’ And they said to him: those about Jesus, the Nazarene... And Jesus report the entire story of Jesus to Jesus himself. It was just what Jesus wanted. Namely, that they (we) should express themselves fully. When we start telling who He is for us, our story telling, actually our prayer, enables Jesus to clear up the very things that are so dark and perplexing to us. This happened to the disciples.
− These two disciples were chosen because they could testify to all what Jesus was telling them about how the Scripture prophecies were fulfilled regarding his death and Resurrection.
 
 Desire for Redemption
 
The two disciples are important markers indicators what a healthy faith is. What made them capable of becoming messangers? Their role is pivotal in the birth of Christian faith. It was their account which convinced the disciples that the previous reports of Jesus’ resurrection are true!
− It is so moving to see that there was a genuine yearning for redemption in them. ‘But we were hoping that he was the one about to ransom Israel…’
− With a genuine hope, they yearned for deliverance from sin, for deliverance from all danger and evils.
− This desire in our heart is a good sign, that ‘our soul is still alive’…
− It means that we want to work on our love, to become a permanent love, which is always offered to our beloved ones…. Our love, in order to be renewed, needs this ‘deliverance from all danger and evils.’
• If we are aware that we need the support of the Messiah, than Jesus can add his Presence, his full friendship.
− On occasions, Jesus rebukes us for our unbelief. Let us accept, just like the disciples, that we should now the Scriptures better… we should pray more often and with a proper focus….
 
• Today’s Eucharist, really wants to go deep in us. Today Jesus touches the human heart. That heart, which is the seat of our personality. When we pray in the Mass, ‘Lift up your hearts’, it is about joining the disciples on the road to Emmaus.
− We lift up our hearts, the centre of our thinking, feelings, and our willing. And we will see, with the disciples, what our true personality desires…
 
• ‘And their eyes were opened, and they recognised him.’
− The strange fact is that Jesus did not act as a guest, but as the host. And this is the point of our Easter journey. When Jesus is at home, in full control in our lives, and not merely a passing visitor.   
− In the act of giving the bread and the chalice over to them, their eyes were opened.
− Let us ask for this grace…. Let us ask for this gift: to have a seeing eye…. And a burning heart.
 
• Today we pray for a burning heart not only for ourselves, but for the church of St Augustine’s.