The irony begins when “a stranger” joins them on the road and enters their conversation. The stranger, of course, is Jesus though they don’t know it yet. They can’t see him because they don’t believe he is even alive. When Jesus asks them what they are discussing on the journey, they proceed to speak about the prophesies of the coming Messiah, how they once believed that Jesus fulfilled those prophesies and how he was crucified, died and was buried… and on the third day rose again ~ at least some women claimed he did!

Does this conversation sound even remotely familiar? Do you say the creed on Sunday at Mass? Well, this is exactly what they were stating: The early Church profession of faith! However, the problem was, they didn’t believe a word of it!

Then, there’s us on Easter morning renewing our baptismal promises by dutifully saying “I DO” when asked whether we believe “in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was crucified, died and buried and on the third day rose again…” Are we saying “I DO” because the ritual calls for it or because we see the Lord in our midst? Do you see Jesus when the Bread is broken and the Cup is given? If not, then trust in his words and let them burn within your heart until your faith is rekindled.

“I am the Bread of Life,” he said. “My flesh is real food and my blood is real drink,” he said. “Take and eat, this is my body,” he said. From heaven, those same two disciples plead with us today: Believe what he said, then you will SEE that God cannot lie! Truly He is Risen!