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Gospel Reflection for Wednesday, April 23, 2025
A Wedding and the Road to Emmaus
A few years ago, I attended a wedding where the couple belonged to a parish youth group, surrounded by their close friends. The celebration was remarkable, not just because the priest officiated in a simple, heartfelt, and concise manner, but because the community’s engagement was palpable. Their singing, responses, and presence transformed the event into something profound. Afterward, I overheard a relative of the groom, someone who wasn’t very involved in church life, express a desire for their own wedding to feel like that. It was clear that this wasn’t a stereotypical rite, but a true celebration—brimming with human warmth and spiritual connection. It was a living community that came together in the presence of Jesus to celebrate the couple’s love and commitment.
This memory highlights a contrast with the reality of many of our sacramental celebrations, which often feel cold and lifeless. This lack of vibrancy couldn’t be more different from today’s Gospel reading, recounting the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. If this isn’t a depiction of an early Christian Eucharist, it comes very close. Reading the passage, I imagine those first communities gathering in someone’s home—not with pomp or incense, but full of faith. They would recall Jesus’ words, reflect on them, encourage one another, and share bread and wine, as Jesus did at the Last Supper (and so many other meals with His followers, including sinners). These gatherings weren’t governed by rigid rules but overflowed with life, faith, and fellowship—qualities that give true meaning to any celebration.
Luke’s text tells us that the Emmaus disciples recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread and only then realized how their hearts had burned as He spoke to them and explained the Scriptures. This speaks to the real presence of Jesus in the midst of a celebrating community. Without such a vibrant community, the Eucharist risks becoming a hollow ritual or just another devotion—and that’s not what it’s meant to be.
Perhaps it’s time to rethink how we celebrate the Eucharist and reflect on how we participate. It’s not just about how well or poorly the priest officiates. Even if the priest performs flawlessly, without a living, celebratory community, the essence of the Eucharist can be lost.