Today's readings are here: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041112.cfm
Ever since the Ascension, our Lord's visible presence has been removed from us; however, he is still with us; and according to today's Gospel, he is present in the two parts of the Mass, that is, the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
I think, for some of us Catholics, the Liturgy of the Word is something we have to endure on our way to the good stuff: the Liturgy of the Eucharist. However, the hearts of the two disciples "burned within them" as the resurrected Christ opened the Scriptures for them. This same burning or happiness will occur within us when we, attentively, listen to the Scripture readings and homily at Mass; for through the Liturgy of the Word, the resurrected Christ is present to his people.
The two disciples recognized Christ in the breaking of the bread. At Mass, do we recognize the resurrected Christ in the person of the priest and hear his voice as the priest prays the Eucharistic prayers? Do we truly believe the resurrected Christ is present, body, blood, soul, and divinity, under the appearances of bread and wine?
In love, our resurrected Lord comes to us in the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Let us renew the New Covenant with him by having our hearts and minds open to his presence.
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