3rd Sunday of Easter

by Fr. John Granato  |  04/19/2026  |  Words from Fr. John

My Dear Friends,

This week we will be half way through the Easter season. Today’s gospel, from St. Luke, is the story of the disciples walking to Emmaus. They have heard that Jesus rose from the dead, but they leave Jerusalem anyway instead of waiting to see him. Are we walking towards Jesus, or are we walking away from Jesus? Throughout history millions of people have walked away from him.

Just as many have walked towards him. It is a reminder that when we walk with Jesus it is because we have had an encounter with him. These disciples encountered him in the breaking of the bread. It is in the Eucharist that Catholics and Orthodox encounter Jesus as well. In a few weeks we will be celebrating First Holy Communion for our second graders. W e rejoice as a parish community for these little ones as they encounter Jesus in a very special way for the first time. It is also a time for us to reflect on our own first communion and why it is so important for us to attend weekly Mass. As you approach the altar to receive our Lord and then return to your pew, are you able to say what these disciples said today, “W ere not our hearts burning within us? ” God bless