Introduction
This Rosary reflection concerns the resurrection story of Jesus appearing to two disciples going to Emmaus. They tell him about Jesus’ death and missing body. Jesus opens their minds to the Scriptures, joins them for dinner, and they recognize him in the breaking of bread.
This Gospel passage is proclaimed on the Third Sunday of Easter. When you pray the five decades of this Rosary Reflection, read the verses for each decade and let the words sink in as you pray that decade. The entire Gospel account is found in the Gospel of Luke, Luke 24:13-35.
The Scripture Account
This Gospel passage is proclaimed on the Second Sunday of Easter, The Sunday of Divine Mercy.
The entire Gospel account is found in the Gospel of John, John 20:19-31.
The Five Decades
When you pray the five decades of this Rosary Reflection, use these five moments from the Scripture passage. Read the verses for each decade and let the words sink in as you pray that decade.
First Decade: The Risen Jesus Walks Along (Luke 24:13-19a)
That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And he replied to them, “What sort of things?”
Second Decade: The Discussion (Luke 24:19b-24)
They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene,who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.”
Third Decade: Jesus Shares Scripture (Luke 24:25-27)
And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures.
Fourth Decade: At Table with Jesus (Luke 24:28-31)
As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight.
Fifth Decade: Return to Jerusalem (Luke 24:32-35 )
Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.
What to Remember
These Gospel verses reflect the story of recognizing the presence of Jesus after His death and resurrection. Jesus teaches His disciples at a deeper level about the purpose and meaning of his death, in light of all Scriptures written about Him. He joins them at table at day’s end and is made know to them in the breaking of bread. When the two disciples return to Jerusalem and meet the Eleven, they share the story of Jesus being alive.
As a follower of Jesus, you are blessed to meet and come to know Jesus alive during Mass: hearing the Scriptures proclaimed in the Liturgy of the Word, witnessing the offering of the bread and wine becoming the Body and Blood of Christ at the consecration during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and receiving Jesus in Communion.
What to Pray For
• For greater faith to recognize Jesus’ Real Presence when celebrating Mass, receiving Communion, and during Eucharistic Adoration.
• For deeper conversion for all believers and nonbelievers to believe that Jesus is truly risen and with them – at table and on the road of life.
• For your intentions:
When This Scripture Appears
This Gospel passage is often proclaimed as the Gospel at the liturgy of the Third Sunday of Easter every year.
* Scripture passages are from the United Conference of Catholic Bishops website, https://usccb.org/bible
