Resources, Prayers, Games, and Lesson Plans
More Thoughts and Reflection Questions
Mass Readings for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year A
- First Reading – Acts 2:14, 22-33: Peter stood up with the eleven apostles and addressed the crowd, explaining that the events they were witnessing were the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel. Peter testified about Jesus and how his death and resurrection were also foretold by the prophets, and that Jesus had been raised from the dead by God.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 16: In this Psalm, the psalmist expresses trust in God as their refuge and source of counsel. They praise God for guiding them on the path of life, and express confidence that God will not abandon them but instead bring them to eternal joy in His presence.
- Second Reading – 1 Peter 1:17-21: Peter urges his readers to live in reverence and fear of God, knowing that they were ransomed by the precious blood of Christ. He emphasizes the eternal significance of their faith and encourages them to continue to trust in God, who raised Christ from the dead and gave them new life through Him.
- Gospel - Luke 24:13-35: Two of Jesus' disciples were walking to Emmaus when they encountered a stranger who turned out to be Jesus, but they did not recognize Him at first. After Jesus spoke to them and broke bread with them, their eyes were opened and they realized that it was Him.
Themes for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year A
The readings for the 3rd Sunday in Easter for Year A encourage us to truly walk the path of discipleship. In the first reading Peter boldly proclaims the Good News. The psalm reminds us that God will guide us along the path of life. The second reading explains that Jesus Christ died so we could have new life. And in the gospel, two disciples encounter the risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus.
- The Road to Emmaus: Two disciples were walking to the village of Emmaus after Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, when they were joined by a stranger who was actually Jesus himself. The theme of the Road to Emmaus is about recognizing the risen Christ in unexpected places and unexpected ways.
- Recognizing Jesus in the Breaking of the Bread: In the Gospel reading for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year A, Jesus revealed himself to the disciples in the breaking of the bread. This theme emphasizes the importance of the Eucharist, and that Jesus is truly present in the bread and wine of the Eucharistic celebration.
- Witnessing and Testimony: Christians are called to be witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus, and to share their testimony of how their lives have been changed by their faith in him. This theme is reflected in the reading from Acts, in which Peter proclaims the good news of Jesus' resurrection to a crowd in Jerusalem.
- Discipleship: Christians are called to recognize Jesus in unexpected ways, to share their testimony of faith, to spread the good news of Jesus, and to study and apply the teachings of scripture in their lives. We are called to continual growth and transformation in the Christian faith. Being a disciple of Jesus involves a lifelong journey of learning, service, and devotion.
- Fellowship: We come together to share in the Eucharistic celebration, to remember the sacrifice of Jesus, and to be nourished by his presence in the bread and wine. We are not called to follow Jesus alone, but to be part of a community of believers who support and encourage one another in our faith.
See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year A.
Resources for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year A
Walking with Jesus: A Road to Emmaus Lesson Plan
The object of this lesson is to help youth understand the importance of recognizing Jesus in their daily lives and walking with Him as their Savior and friend. It is designed to help students relate to the story of the Road to Emmaus and find guidance and comfort in their faith.
Emmaus Walk Activity
The Emmaus Walk activity encourages young people to deepen their relationship with God through prayer, reflection, and personal testimonies, which can be transformative experiences. This activity is perfect for a youth ministry activity for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year A. The mini-Emmaus activity is a great way for youth to engage in fun, engaging activities that help them deepen their understanding of what it means to be a Christian and to bear witness to the Good News of Christ.
Prayer to the God of Goodness
This prayer to the God of Goodness is a prayer of praise. We must remember all of the blessings our heavenly Father has poured out on us. This prayer is based on Psalm 16, which is the responsorial psalm for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year A.
Go to a Prayer Labyrinth
A prayer labyrinth is a circle with a path in it which you walk while you pray. The purpose of the labyrinth is to facilitate prayer. Catholic retreat centers often have prayer labyrinths on their grounds. They can be really effective for some youth with Autism or ADHD.
Create Your Own Labyrinth
On the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year A, the Gospel of the Road to Emmaus echoes beautifully in the journey of a prayer labyrinth. Just as the disciples on the road encountered Christ in their walk and conversation, the labyrinth provides a path for pilgrims to encounter the Divine amidst their prayerful journey. In walking the labyrinth, one can reflect on how Jesus reveals Himself through Scripture and in the 'breaking of the bread', paralleling the disciples' enlightenment. This physical and spiritual walk becomes a metaphor for the Easter journey, where moments of recognition and revelation unfold with each step, deepening our understanding of the risen Christ in our lives.
Homilies and Reflections for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year A
When You’re Walking the Wrong Way (Bishop Robert Barron)
The Role of Hope (Fr. Mike Schmitz)
A video homily from Bishop Robert Barron for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year A. "Friends, we come to this Third Sunday of Easter, and our Gospel is Luke’s account of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. This masterpiece is a summation of the spiritual life, and it starts with two disciples of Jesus walking the wrong way."
Walking Away
In this reflection for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year A, Jeff Cavins explains that the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus were walking away from Jerusalem, for they didn't understand or believe that Jesus had risen.
The Role of Hope
Fr. Mike Schmitz recalls two stories from the Gospels that exemplify what hope is not. When Peter denied Christ, and when the two travelers on the road to Emmaus abandoned their hope in Christ.
The Pattern of Love
Another homily for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year A from Bishop Robert Barron. "Like the two disciples walking towards Emmaus, a symbol of worldly power and security, and away from Jerusalem, the center of sacrifice, we need to be stopped in our tracks. Christ appears to them, but they do not recognize him. They do not recognize him because they are walking the wrong way."
Emmaus and Us
A reflection for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year A from Scott Hahn. "We should put ourselves in the shoes of the disciples in today’s Gospel. Downcast and confused, they’re making their way down the road, unable to understand all the things that have occurred." Continue reading.
Emmaus and Genesis
This is also a homily for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year A from Bishop Barron. "It is my privilege this third Sunday of Easter to preach on one of the most magnificent texts in the New Testament, a masterpiece within the masterpiece: the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. I would like to offer a somewhat novel interpretation, one that takes its inspiration from the style of the Church Fathers and draws a very interesting correlation between this narrative with the third chapter of Genesis."
More Thoughts for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year A
Encountering the Risen Lord
The first reading for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year A features Peter's speech to the crowd in Jerusalem. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter proclaims the Good News of Jesus Christ, starting with his own personal witness to the resurrection. Through his eloquent and persuasive speech, he invites the people to repent and to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
This passage reminds us of the transformative power of the resurrection of Christ. We are invited to renew our faith, to repent of our sins, and to live as faithful disciples of the Risen Lord. Like Peter, we are called to bear witness to this encounter, to proclaim the Good News of Christ, and to invite others to share in this life-changing experience.
May we be filled with the same Holy Spirit that inspired Peter's speech, and may we bear witness to the Good News of Christ in our own lives.
Recognizing Jesus
It is unclear why the two disciples who walked with Jesus did not recognize him. However, it is possible that recognizing him so easily would have been too simplistic. Instead, they were forced to grapple with their feelings of disappointment and confusion as they conversed with him. They openly shared their emotions with him, which served as a model for us.
Often, during difficult times in our lives, we may not feel Jesus' presence. However, we should speak to him candidly about our feelings, without fear of expressing our negative emotions and disappointment. Through such conversations, we may gain a fresh perspective.
Eventually, the two disciples were able to recognize Jesus clearly. Talking with him had transformed their hearts, turning them from despair to a passionate flame.
Transformative Encounters
The common theme in the readings for for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year A is the transformative power of encountering the Risen Lord. Peter and the disciples on the road to Emmaus both experienced a profound encounter with Jesus, which transformed their lives and gave them the courage to bear witness to the Good News. They remind us that our faith is not just a set of beliefs, but rather a personal encounter with the living God, who has the power to transform us and to fill us with hope.
As we reflect on these readings for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year A, we are invited to ask ourselves whether we have truly encountered the Risen Lord in our lives. Have we experienced his transforming power? Are we willing to bear witness to his Good News, even in the face of opposition or persecution? May we open our hearts to the Risen Lord, who longs to encounter us and to transform us into his faithful disciples.
Reflection Questions for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year A
- How have you experienced the transformative power of encountering the Risen Lord in your life? What changes has this encounter brought about in you?
- Have there been times in your life when you have struggled to recognize Jesus in your midst? How did you respond to this struggle? Were you able to talk to Jesus candidly about your feelings?
- In what ways do Peter's speech and the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus challenge you to bear witness to the Good News of Christ? How can you share your personal encounter with the Risen Lord with others?
- How does the invitation to repent and to live as faithful disciples of the Risen Lord speak to you in your current life situation? What changes do you need to make to align your life more closely with God's will?
- How can you open your heart more fully to the Risen Lord and allow him to transform you into his faithful disciple? What practices or habits can help you cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus?
Quotes and Social Media Graphics for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year A
You will show me the path to life,
abounding joy in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
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