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1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; 5 and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. 6 Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Mag′dalene and Jo-an′na and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.
13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emma′us, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cle′opas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning 23 and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, 29 but they constrained him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, 34 who said, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
36 As they were saying this, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” 37 But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them.
44 Then he said to them, “These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high.”
50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God.
QUESTIONS FOR WEEK 4
Daily Examen: How did you see God active in your life this week?
Luke 24:6-8 – The women remember Jesus’ promise that He would rise on the third day. What role does remembering Jesus’ teachings play in recognizing God’s work in our lives? Can you think of a time when recalling Scripture or a word of Jesus helped you understand a difficult situation better?
Luke 24:12 – Why does Peter run to the tomb after hearing the women’s story, even though he doubts their words? What does his action show us about the tension between doubt and desire for truth? In our faith journeys, how can we guard against dismissing the truths of the faith when they challenge our understanding or expectations and maintain a balance between seeking answers and trusting God's timing?
Luke 24:16 – The two disciples on the road to Emmaus did not recognize Jesus, even though He was walking with them. How might our spiritual blindness cause us to fail to remember Christ in our lives, and how can we be more attentive to His presence in our daily struggles?
Luke 24:19-21 – The disciples describe Jesus as a “prophet mighty in deed and word,” but they say, “We had hoped that He was the one to redeem Israel.” Why is it significant that their hope in Jesus was tied to their expectations of what the Messiah should do? How can we ensure that our hopes align with God’s plans, even when they differ?
Luke 24:30-31 - In the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we see a journey from confusion to recognition of Jesus in the breaking of the bread. How can we relate this to our spiritual journeys? How can we experience deeper communion with Jesus in the Eucharist, and how might that practice change how we see Him in other areas of our lives?
Luke 24:44-47 - How does the encounter with the risen Jesus transform the disciples’ understanding of who He is and what His resurrection means for the world? How might the resurrection transform your own faith and daily life?
Luke 24:45-49 – Jesus opens the disciples' minds to understand the Scriptures and commissions them to preach repentance and forgiveness. Why is it essential for us to understand the Scriptures to fulfill the mission Jesus gives us?
How can we rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to empower us to share the message of forgiveness and repentance with others?