Today, 25th of April, we celebrate
Saint Mark
First Reading: Acts 3:1-10
Once when Peter and John were going up to the Temple at three in the afternoon, the hour for prayer, a man crippled from birth was being carried in. Every day they would bring him and put him at the temple gate called "Beautiful"; there he begged from those who entered the Temple.
When he saw Peter and John on their way into the Temple, he asked for alms. Then Peter with John at his side looked straight at him and said, "Look at us." So he looked at them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, "I have neither silver nor gold, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, walk!"
Then he took the beggar by his right hand and helped him up. At once his feet and ankles became firm, and jumping up he stood on his feet and began to walk. And he went with them into the Temple walking and leaping and praising God.
All the people saw him walking and praising God; they recognized him as the one who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple, and they were all astonished and amazed at what had happened to him.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9
R./ Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord. or Alleluia.
Give thanks to the Lord, invoke his name;
make known among the nations his deeds.
Sing to him, sing his praise,
proclaim all his wondrous deeds.
R./ Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord. or Alleluia.
Glory in his holy name;
rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord!
Look to the Lord in his strength;
seek to serve him constantly.
R./ Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord. or Alleluia.
You descendants of Abraham, his servants,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He, the Lord, is our God;
throughout the earth his judgments prevail.
R./ Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord. or Alleluia.
He remembers forever his covenant
which he made binding for a thousand generations-
Which he entered into with Abraham
and by his oath to Isaac.
R./ Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord. or Alleluia.
Gospel Reading:Lk 24:13-35
Two disciples of Jesus were going to Emmaus, a village seven miles from Jerusalem, and they talked about what had happened. While they were talking and wondering, Jesus came up and walked with them, but their eyes were held and they did not recognize him.
He asked, "What is this you are talking about?" The two stood still, looking sad. Then one named Cleophas answered, "Why, it seems you are the only traveller in Jerusalem who doesn't know what has happened there these past few days." And he asked, "What is it?"
They replied, "It is about Jesus of Nazareth. He was a prophet, you know, mighty in word and deed before God and the people. But the chief priests and our rulers sentenced him to death. They handed him over to be crucified. We had hoped that he would redeem Israel.
It is now the third day since all this took place. It is true that some women of our group have disturbed us. When they went to the tomb at dawn, they did not find his body; they came to tell us that they had seen a vision of angels who told them that Jesus was alive. Some friends of our group went to the tomb and found everything just as the women had said, but they did not see him."
He said to them, "How dull you are, how slow of understanding! You fail to believe the message of the prophets. Is it not written that the Christ should suffer all this and then enter his glory?" Then starting with Moses and going through the prophets, he explained to them everything in the Scriptures concerning himself.
As they drew near the village they were heading for, Jesus made as if to go farther. But they prevailed upon him, "Stay with us, for night comes quickly. The day is now almost over." So he went in to stay with them. When they were at table, he took the bread, said a blessing, broke it and gave each a piece.
Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; but he vanished out of their sight. And they said to each other, "Were not our hearts filled with ardent yearning when he was talking to us on the road and explaining the Scriptures?"
They immediately set out and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and their companions gathered together. They were greeted by these words: "Yes, it is true, the Lord is risen! He has appeared to Simon!" Then the two told what had happened on the road and how Jesus made himself known when he broke bread with them.
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.
Fernando Torres, cmf
General Intercessions
- Risen Lord, journey with your Church when it is persecuted or struggling with hardships that threaten its unity, we pray:
- Risen Lord, journey with your communities when they are beset by strife, injustices and loss of fervor, we pray:
- Risen Lord, keep walking with us when we are confused, in doubt, or slow to understand you, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
God of light and life,
we are dull of heart and slow to understand
how your Son journeys with us
every moment of life.
Help us to recognize his presence
in these humble signs of bread and wine
and let him put fire in our hearts
when we hear his word
and become aware of his nearness
in this eucharist, in the events of life,
and in the people around us.
For he is our risen Lord for ever.
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
we have heard your Son's words
that question our apathy and gloom
and he has stirred our hearts.
We sat at table with him
and he broke for us the bread of himself.
Send us out now to our brothers and sisters
to bring them the good news
that your Son is risen and alive
and that now we can go with one another
his journey of life and hope.
We ask you this in the name of Jesus the Lord,
who lives with you and stays with us
now and for ever.
Blessing
Would that we could also say with the disciples of Emmaus: Were not our hearts burning within us, when Jesus was walking with us on the road and speaking his good news to us? May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
