23 April
3rd Sunday of Easter
They recognised him at the breaking of the bread
COLLECT: May your people exult for ever, O God, in renewed youthfulness of spirit, so that, rejoicing now in the restored glory of our adoption, we may look forward in confident hope to the rejoicing of the day of resurrection. Through our Lord…
Readings:
Acts 2:14,22-33
Ps 15:1-2,5,7-11
1 Peter 1:17-21
Gospel: Luke 24:13-35
Two of the disciples of Jesus were on their way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking together about all that had happened. Now as they talked this over, Jesus himself came up and walked by their side; but something prevented them from recognising him. He said to them, ‘What matters are you discussing as you walk along?’ They stopped short, their faces downcast.
Then one of them, called Cleopas, answered him, ‘You must be the only person staying in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have been happening there these last few days’. ‘What things?‘ he asked.
‘All about Jesus of Nazareth’ they answered ‘who proved he was a great prophet by the things he said and did in the sight of God and of the whole people; and how our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and had him crucified. Our own hope had been that he would be the one to set Israel free. And this is not all: two whole days have gone by since it all happened; and some women from our group have astounded us: they went to the tomb in the early morning, and when they did not find the body, they came back to tell us they had seen a vision of angels who declared he was alive. Some of our friends went to the tomb and found everything exactly as the women had reported, but of him they saw nothing.’
Then he said to them, ‘You foolish men! So slow to believe the full message of the prophets! Was it not ordained that the Christ should suffer and so enter into his glory?‘ Then, starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, he explained to them the passages throughout the scriptures that were about himself.
When they drew near to the village to which they were going, he made as if to go on; but they pressed him to stay with them. ‘It is nearly evening’ they said ‘and the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them.
Emmaus Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognised him; but he had vanished from their sight.
Then they said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?’
They set out that instant and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven assembled together with their companions, who said to them, ‘Yes, it is true. The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’
Then they told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread.
Meditation
Jesus’ encounter with the two disciples of Emmaus is a fleeting one. But the entire destiny of the Church is contained within it. It tells us that the Christian community is not enclosed within a fortified citadel, but rather journeys along its most essential environment, which is the road. And there, it encounters people with their hopes and disappointments, burdensome at times. The Church listens to everyone’s stories as they emerge from the treasure chest of personal conscience, in order to then offer the Word of Life, the witness of love, a love that is faithful until the end. And thus, the hearts of people reignite with hope.
Pope Francis, General Audience, May 2017
Readings for next Sunday (4th of Easter)
- Acts 2:14,22-33
- Ps 15:1-2,5,7-11
- 1 Peter 1:17-21
- Luke 24:13-35
»SPRING MARKET AT THE LOCAL
Monday 1st May from 9am. Viva Radio and Orphean Singers at event. To book a space € 10. Contact Fr. Jim
»COMMUNITY EVENT
Buffet at Neos, ‘Celebration and Thank you.’ Help AMH. Info, Fr. Jim.
»HORSE RACE NIGHT
Friday 9th June at the Local from 5pm. Game of chance not gambling. For details see poster at the coffee shop.
»PARISH FINANCES
Our 2022 finances are available at the shop. For further information, just make an appointment at the parish office.
»ST. JOSEPH PRAYER GROUP (French Speakers)
Meeting Tuesdays 6PM-7PM. Contact Hervé 96295598.
»COFFEE SHOP
Join us for some tea or coffee, shop bric-a-brac, enjoy community time. Volunteers needed, please contact Fr. Jim.
»CARITAS PAPHOS
Thank you for your donations of non-perishable food. Please, clothing and household item donations may be dropped off at the priest-house (No furniture). For info on food program or volunteering, contact Fr. Fernando 99 93 3130. Thank you for your prayers.
Mass Schedule for this Week
- Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri …… 9 am at Agia Kyriaki.
- Wednesday ……………… 12, preceded by Holy Hour.
- Saturday ……………… 4 and 6pm AK. /// 6 pm Polis.
- Sunday ………………… 10am (Latin), 11am (Polish), 12pm (English) in AK.
Sri Lankan Mass: Every 3rd Sunday of the month at 1:15 pm.
Filipino Mass: Every last Sunday of the month at 12 pm.
Maronite Mass: Sunday at 9 am, Info: Fr. Youakim 9981 4316.