Homily: April 19, 2026, Third Sunday of Easter (God Walk with us )

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 “Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.”

When I was a child, I walked a lot. Because few families owned a car, including my family and there was hardly any public transportation in my village. So, everybody walked.

One of my earliest memories in life was walking with my grandfather. He brought me along wherever he went. We walked along the narrow village roads, through farms and plantations. Sometimes I would walk slowly by his side. Sometimes I would run ahead a few steps, then pause to wait for him, and then I would run ahead again.

I still enjoy going on walks, with nowhere specific to go to, just strolling around leisurely, sometimes with my nieces and nephews, with friends, or alone, just to enjoy the scenery and fresh air. It is always especially pleasant to walk with someone you love, respect or are comfortable with.

In today’s Gospel, we see a life-changing walk. On the day of the Resurrection, two disciples of Jesus were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, they were walking westward, into the fading evening light, into deeper darkness. They were confused, downcast and discouraged.

And then something happened.

Jesus himself drew near and walked with them.

Jesus made the first move. He went to them and walked with them, without the need to be invited. He Himself wanted to be with them. And this is not unusual of God.

From the very beginning, God has always desired to walk with His people. In the Book of Genesis, we see God walking with Adam and Eve in the garden. Throughout the years in the wilderness, God accompanied His people day and night all through the years.

We have one Eucharistic prayer which says of God: “You love the human race… and you always walk with us on the journey of life.”

This is our God. He walks with us, always, from beginning till the end, because of love.

Whether we are aware of it or not, whether we remember to invite Jesus or not, whether we are strong in faith or struggling, He draws near and walks with us.

And then we heard the disciples comment: “But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel…”

To which Jesus replied: “How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!”

These were disciples who had seen Jesus’ works and heard His teachings, yet they doubted who He is and what His mission is. Truly, they were slow of heart to believe.

Aren’t we also the same?

We are all later disciples with the benefit of all the revelations that took place before us, we are handed down all the knowledge and teachings, we have been passed down the traditions that have survived persecutions and destructions, yet we too are so slow of heart to believe.

We still look to the world for hope of satisfaction and fulfilment. We still insist on walking westward away from Jerusalem.

Yet Jesus does not leave us. He continues to walk with us towards Emmaus, even if it is the wrong direction in life. 

Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, many of us fail to recognize Him but importantly, they allowed Him to walk with them. They allowed Him into their conversation, into their journey, into their lives.

And what happened next?

He explained the Scriptures to them. He opened their minds. He entered their home. And finally, their eyes were opened.

Too often, we expect to first see, before we are willing to believe. This Emmaus encounter shows us that sometimes we need to first be open before we can see.

When we truly encounter His Word, we can then encounter Him in the Eucharist, as the disciples experienced later, “how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.”

When we begin to see, we begin to be transformed. If we live consciously and intentionally in His Eucharistic presence, unseen miracles happen, gradually but surely, something amazing happens within us, beautiful changes take place.

So today, my invitation to you is this:

1) Live the Eucharistic life, make the effort to receive the sacrament as often as possible, and spend time in His Holy presence through adoration and Holy Hour;

2) Yes, Jesus is always walking with us, even unnoticed, but now that you are aware, keep inviting Him into your home, your relationships, your life.

3) Finally, as the disciples “set out at once and returned to Jerusalem” upon recognizing the Lord, we too are called to turn away from darkness and return to His Light, let us get back to holy living. Jesus will be there waiting to help us and grace us.

Amen.


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