Daily Gospel Reflection for April 19, 2026: Third Sunday of Easter

As with other appearances of the Risen Lord, His followers walking on the road to Emmaus do not immediately recognize Him. They were disappointed and heartbroken at all that had happened to Jesus at the crucifixion. They had heard reports that Jesus was alive. They want to believe it, but they are unsure. You can imagine their conversation as they rehashed all that happened. “Can it be true?” It is only in the breaking of the bread that they come to see that it was truly Jesus and believe that He has risen from the dead. They then share their testimony with others.

 

We, too, have our moments of doubt. Most of us have heard the stories of Jesus our entire lives. We want to believe. We profess that belief at Sunday Mass in the Nicene Creed. And yet, from time to time, we may wonder, “Can it be true?” The secular world wants us to live as if it isn’t, and we can often be criticized for our beliefs. In addition, hard times in our own lives may make us question the reality of God.

 

Jesus doesn’t come and physically take a walk with us. Instead, He speaks to us through Scripture, spiritual reading and/or videos, and the voices of other people. We can encounter Him in the Eucharist and in prayer. He says to us, “Believe in Me,” and then asks us to share the witness of that faith with others.