Everything seemed to be over with the death of Jesus

 III Easter Sunday (Luke 24, 13-35)

“And it happened that as they were talking and discussing together about what had happened, Jesus came up and walked by their side…
Jesus asked them, “What were you talking about while you were walking?”

Everything seemed to be over with the death of Jesus; it is the return to the past life, the disciples go back to look for a new way of life and an adaptation to the new social context. A step backwards full of feelings of failure and uncertainty.
It is in this context that the Risen One approaches with particular interest to bring joy, peace and the light of the resurrection.

This is certainly the situation in which some people find themselves: those who have lost their jobs, those who have nothing to live on during this time of covid-19, those who cannot go out to look for food to feed their families, those who do not have a home to stay in during this time when it is advisable to stay at home.

Feelings of failure because the economy is falling, the crisis is deepening and the future is uncertain in many ways; what is visible is the fact that many people, countries, cities, neighborhoods, families and communities are affected.
As a result, life is full of worries and humanity is walking sadly without hope and without mature faith as a consequence of the present situation.
Humanly speaking there is no solution, or at least the solution is slow in coming, an obscure exit, as experienced by the two disciples on their way home.

And here comes Jesus Who walks with them, who comes to help them get out of this reality. However, in spite of Jesus’ presence, His disciples continue to go forward with darkened eyes.

To help them get out of their personal anxiety that does not allow them to see further, Jesus asks them about what they were discussing on the way. A question that decentralizes them.

Jesus shows them how to reach the men and women of this time who walk disillusioned because their only hope is dead. Jesus is interested in their problems, their concerns, and that is why He reaches out to them. God is interested in them, through the other people who are on the daily journey of life.

The Risen Jesus knows the sorrows, the joys, and the despair that the people of this world live.

The example of Jesus is an invitation to make an effort to know the worries that inhabit the hearts of women and men, of young people during this time when the pandemic is striking cities, neighborhoods, communities, families, etc., and when the world is in crisis. To know how to be aware and discover that there are many needs that are waiting to be resolved through both personal and community initiatives; according to the capacities of communities, to try to respond to these needs in order to help as a sign of solidarity with those who suffer not only from the coronavirus, but from other problems and unjust causes.

“…In the midst of these situations we are acutely aware of the evils afflicting exploited workers and the poor, and are particularly attentive to them and their families….” Rule of Life”

In order to bear witness to God’s love we are called to open our ears, and our hearts, to listen to the concerns of those who suffer. To be attentive to the cries of the world as Jesus did with the disciples when they expressed their concerns, their lack of faith in the testimonies of women, and to hope in this time when despair seems to rule the world. We are also called to take the time to re-read the Word of God, to come into contact with what God is telling us by meditating on His word in order to discover and recognize His presence in this reality that we are living.

“They recognized Jesus when he broke the bread”. The Eucharist, a very modest, simple but effective sign that testifies to the presence of the Risen Jesus. Today we recognize the Risen One in those who serve, those who share their bread with others, those who console, those who risk their lives in hospitals; those who give comfort in a word spoken and exchanged.

In Communion with the Body of Christ, we receive the mission to go out to proclaim the joy of the Risen One, to set out on the journey towards our brothers and sisters. God wants us to be happy, and He also wants us to make others happy and joyful, without shutting ourselves up in our concerns. May the Holy Spirit inspire us to advance resolutely on this road to Emmaus, a narrow path that leads from failure to success, from unhappiness to happiness, from doubt to faith, from sorrow to joy.

Germaine Musakata Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo