Both of today's readings are possibly the richest we hear in this Easter Octave. In our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles (3:1-10), Peter and John meet a crippled man asking for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. Peter simply says to him, “Look at us.” That's an interesting thing to say in a situation, so the man did what any of us did: looked at them, paid attention, waiting for what would happen next. What happened next no one expected. Peter says, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk.” These are compelling, powerful words. Maybe we feel as though we don't have the adequate resources to help another person; maybe we feel we don't have the answers to difficult questions. Here's what we do have: the Holy Spirit and the power and presence of the Risen Lord dwelling within us, and there is nothing, absolutely nothing, greater we can offer to others.
The gospel reading from St. Luke's Gospel (24:13-35) features Jesus walking with the disciples as the travel to Emmaus. Much like yesterday's gospel passage in which Mary Magdalene originally did not recognize Jesus, so similarly, the disciples again do not recognize who Jesus is at first. This again speaks to the new life brought about by the Resurrection. When do they recognize Jesus? At the breaking of the bread, which is the language used by the early Church for the Mass. In the Eucharist, the disciples recognize Jesus for Who He is. The breaking of the bread occurs after Jesus interprets the Scriptures for them—the readings and homily at Mass.
Other important actions occur indicating a Eucharistic reference: “And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them.” Taking bread, blessing it, breaking it, and giving it are exactly the same things Jesus does at the multiplication of fish and loaves and feeding of five thousand; those are the same things Jesus does at the Last Supper. These are the same words used during the consecration of bread and wine into His Body and Blood at Mass.
While there is gut wrenching separation from the Eucharist, this passage reminds us that our Lord Jesus Christ brings His Risen presence into our world in multitude of ways. May our desire for the Eucharist increase during this time, and may we allow Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, create new life in each of us. Happy Easter!