Third Sunday of Easter 2026

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After returning from their mission around the moon, the astronauts of Artemis II said something striking. They said, “We are bonded forever… no one else will ever fully understand what we went through together.”

Think about that.

They had seen something almost no one else has ever seen.
 They had gone through something intense, beautiful, even overwhelming—together.
 And that shared experience created a bond that will last the rest of their lives.

Some experiences don’t just stay with you… they bind you forever.

And in a very different way, that’s exactly what’s happening in today’s Gospel.

Two disciples are walking away from Jerusalem.
 They’re discouraged. Confused. Heartbroken.
 “We were hoping…” they say.

They had hoped Jesus would be the one.
 But now it all seemed over.

And as they walk, Jesus comes alongside them—but they don’t recognize Him.

He listens.
 He walks with them.
 He opens the Scriptures to them.

And something begins to happen.

Later they will say, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way?”

Then they reach the village.
 They invite Him to stay.

And at table—He takes bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to them.

And suddenly… they see.

Their eyes are opened.
 They recognize Him.

And in that moment, everything changes.

This wasn’t just a nice conversation on the road.
 This was an encounter with the Risen Jesus.

And it bound them forever.

That’s why they get up immediately and go back to Jerusalem.
 They can’t keep it to themselves.

Because when you truly encounter Christ, you’re changed.
 You’re connected.
 You’re sent.

And here’s the beautiful part:

That same encounter is happening right here.

Every Mass is the road to Emmaus.

We gather and walk together.
 We listen as the Scriptures are opened.
 And then—at the altar—He takes bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to us.

And whether we always realize it or not…

He is here.
 He is with us.
 He is giving Himself to us.

The astronauts said that no one else could fully understand what they experienced together.

But the truth is—we do share something just as powerful.

Because every time we gather here,
 we encounter the Risen Jesus.

And if we let Him,
 He will open our eyes,
 set our hearts on fire,
 and bind us to Him…

and to each other…

forever.

Location: Morrisonville, NY, USA

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