The pattern used by Jesus in the Emmaus walk is the pattern of the Mass: Notice the sequence of events Jesus uses as He walks to Emmaus with His disciples and then stays with them afterward. The Church follows the same pattern to this very day in the Mass:

1. Liturgy of the Word. We listen intently to the Scriptures, so much so that our heart burns within us (Lk 24:32). We ask Jesus to open our minds to understand the Scriptures (Lk 24:45). During the homily, the significance of the Word is interpreted for us (see Lk 24:27).
2. Liturgy of the Eucharist. When the banquet of the Word of God has been completed, Jesus breaks the bread. It is during the Eucharist that our eyes are especially opened to recognize Jesus present with us (Lk 24:31).
3. At the conclusion of Mass, a word which means "sent," we ourselves are sent forth to love and serve the Lord. The two disciples at Emmaus got the message. They immediately set out to announce the good news of Jesus to others (Lk 24:33). We are likewise sent forth.

We may enter Mass preoccupied (Lk 24:14) or downcast (Lk 24:18) like the disciples on the road to Emmaus before they encountered Jesus. We may enter Mass slow to believe (Lk 24:25). Yet even one Mass can catapult us into experiencing new, risen life in Jesus. Go to Mass as often as possible, even daily. Let Jesus set your heart ablaze with His risen life.

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, XXX 11, 2011

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