3rd Sunday of Easter

 Have you noticed how many people, especially since the turn of the Millenium, have stopped going to Mass? What has happened to them? Why did they leave? What do they believe now? Did they ever believe at all? I do not have any easy answers. Everyone is different. Reading today's Gospel, however, I get a sense for how Jesus continues to journey with them even though they may not wish to recognize him in their lives. Like the two disciples, they are walking away. Often, I expect, they have a dialogue with one another or in their hearts about "... all these things that had happened." (Lk 24: 14) Their hearts may have been set on this world: "But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel." (Lk 24: 21) Jesus listens to them but he does not let them off lightly: "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared!" (Lk 24: 25) Patiently, the Lord starts the Good News all over again: "Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, Jesus interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures." (Lk 24: 27) The former disciples do not recognize him but they have absorbed his value of hospitality: "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over." (Lk 24: 29) It is only in the Holy Eucharist that they realize that the Lord has been walking with them all along: "... he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them, Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus" (Lk 24: 31) They respond to this revelation by returning to the community they had abandoned, with new faith and joy in the resurrection: "That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together." (Lk 24: 33) As this parish begins the Alpha programme let us too be open to renewing our conversion experience as well as journeying with others who seek faith. In this way our own faith will be strengthened and purified so that we do not give up on the Mass, the Church of the Lord. One thing is for sure - he will never give up on us: "If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him he will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful - for he cannot deny himself."  (2 Tim 2: 11)