Short Homily – Wednesday in the Octave of Easter

Theme: “Were Not Our Hearts Burning?”
Readings: Acts 3:1–10 | Psalm 105 | Psalm 118:24 | Luke 24:13–35
Jubilee Year Theme: “Hope Does Not Disappoint” (Romans 5:5)
Special Note: We join the Church in preparing for the burial of Pope Francis. May he rest in peace, and may the Church be comforted in her mourning.

🌅 Easter continues to unfold. Today we meet the two disciples on the road to Emmaus—walking in sadness, unaware that Hope Himself is walking right beside them. This is one of the most human and relatable moments in the Resurrection story: not a thunderclap of glory, but a quiet walk, broken hearts, a meal—and recognition.

😊 If Jesus were walking next to you today, would you recognise Him?

In South Africa, we often walk long distances—whether to school, to work, to church. We greet, we talk, we reflect. But how often do we recognise Jesus in the person beside us or even within our own struggles?

📖 In Luke 24:13–35, the disciples are disillusioned. They had hoped Jesus would redeem Israel, but the cross seemed to crush that hope. Yet Jesus listens, walks with them, teaches them—and only in the breaking of the bread do they see Him.

In Acts 3, Peter and John meet a beggar at the temple gate. They don’t give silver or gold—they give him Jesus. And the man jumps up, walking and praising God. Healing follows recognition. Joy follows presence.

Psalm 105 reminds us to “rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord.” And we do—especially today as we mourn the loss of Pope Francis and honour a life spent in service to the Gospel. His legacy of humility, inclusion, and compassion reflects the same Jesus who walked with the weary on the road to Emmaus.

✝️ The breaking of the bread at Mass is our Emmaus moment. Every Eucharist is an encounter with the Risen Christ. In this Holy Communion, Jesus walks with us, feeds us, and sends us out again—burning with hope.

❓ Question for Reflection

Do I take time to notice the presence of Jesus in my daily life—in Scripture, in the stranger, in the suffering?

🛠️ Daily Practical Application

• Be present today to someone walking through difficulty.

• Share a meal with someone who is lonely or grieving.

• Make time to reflect on God’s Word and let it speak to your journey.

💔 Like the disciples, you may feel tired or disappointed. Perhaps you too are asking, “Where is God?”

He is here. He is walking beside you. He may not always come with lightning, but He will come in the quiet breaking of bread, the gentle word, the unspoken comfort.

🕊️ What Can I Do During the Jubilee Year?

• Start a small faith-sharing group—walk with others through Scripture.

• Visit someone sick or struggling and be a companion of hope.

• Pray for vocations and servant-leaders like Pope Francis.

🇿🇦 We, as South Africans, know the Emmaus road well. Our history is full of long walks—from struggle to freedom. Yet, we are also a people of resilience and rebirth. Let the Church in South Africa keep walking, keep listening, and keep recognising Jesus in our midst.

💬 Inspiration Quote

“Jesus walks with us even when our eyes are too tired to see and our hearts too heavy to feel.”

🧭 As Pilgrims of Hope, we do not walk alone. The road may be long, but we walk with the Word in our hearts, the Bread of Life in our hands, and the Risen Christ at our side.

🙏 Lord Jesus,

Walk with me today as You did with the disciples on the road to Emmaus.
Open my eyes in the breaking of the bread,
set my heart on fire with Your Word,
and strengthen me to be a messenger of hope.
As the Church prepares to bury Pope Francis,
may his life inspire in us a love for the poor, a passion for mercy,
and a faith that sees You in every step.
Amen. Alleluia.