Opening Game
Guess Who?
- Ask each person to write down the name of someone they admire or look up to on a piece of paper.
- On the same paper, have them write three clues about that person.
- Collect all the papers.
- Randomly choose one paper and read the three clues to the group.
- Let the group try to guess who the person is.
- Repeat steps 4 and 5 with the rest of the papers until all have been guessed.
That was a fun way to see how we recognize people based on different clues! Just like we used clues to guess who others admire, sometimes we need clues to recognize Jesus in our lives. In today’s scripture reading, we’ll hear about two disciples who didn’t realize they were walking with Jesus until He gave them a powerful clue. Let’s dive into the story of the Road to Emmaus and see how Jesus revealed Himself to them.
Scripture Reading
Read Luke 24:13-35, the Gospel for the 3rd Sunday of Easter Year A:
That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.
He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?”
They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?”
And he replied to them, “What sort of things?”
They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place.
Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.”
And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures.
As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?”
So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!”
Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.
Discussion
Have you ever felt lost or confused, like the disciples on the Road to Emmaus? Maybe you’ve gone through tough times, doubted your faith, or struggled with personal issues. When we face challenges, it can be hard to see God working in our lives. But the good news is that Jesus is always with us, even when we don’t realize it. Just as He walked beside the disciples on their way to Emmaus, He walks with us too. Jesus wants to guide us through our struggles, offering comfort and support along the way.
Recognizing Jesus in our daily lives can be hard. Sometimes we are too focused on our own problems, like the disciples who were sad and confused after Jesus’ crucifixion. They were so overwhelmed by what had happened that they couldn’t see the truth in front of them: Jesus was alive, and He was walking right beside them! How often are we like those disciples, blind to Jesus’ presence because we’re too focused on our worries or pain?
Just like the disciples, we don’t always expect Jesus to show up in the ways He does. Jesus often reveals Himself to us in unexpected ways. He might not appear to us in a big, dramatic moment, but in small, everyday encounters. Maybe it’s through the kindness of a stranger, a comforting conversation with a friend, or a peaceful moment during prayer. Sometimes it takes time for us to realize that these moments are Jesus working in our lives, just as it took time for the disciples to understand that Jesus was the one walking with them.
As you think about the Road to Emmaus lesson, ask yourself: How has Jesus revealed Himself to you in your life? Maybe there was a time when you felt lonely or unsure about the future, and someone reached out to you with kindness. Maybe you’ve experienced peace after prayer, or you felt a sense of hope after reading a Bible verse. These are all moments where Jesus might be walking alongside you, helping you even when you don’t immediately recognize Him.
Think about the way Jesus revealed Himself to the disciples on the road. At first, they didn’t know it was Him. But Jesus didn’t give up on them. He took the time to explain the Scriptures, helping them understand the bigger picture. He showed them that everything that had happened—His suffering, death, and resurrection—was part of God’s plan.
It was only when He sat with them, broke bread, and shared a meal that their eyes were finally opened. They realized that Jesus had been with them the whole time. This is a reminder that sometimes, we need to be patient and open to the ways Jesus is revealing Himself to us. We might not see Him right away, but He is always there.
So, why do you think the disciples didn’t recognize Jesus at first? It could be that their grief and disappointment clouded their vision. They had hoped that Jesus was the one to redeem Israel, but His death had left them confused. They couldn’t understand how Jesus could save them by dying. But once Jesus helped them see the truth, everything changed. They realized that His death wasn’t the end but the beginning of a new life, not just for Him but for all of us.
Jesus revealed Himself to the disciples in a way that was personal and meaningful to them. He shared a meal with them, just as He had done before His crucifixion. In that simple act of breaking bread, their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him. For us, this points to the importance of the Eucharist, where Jesus continues to reveal Himself to us today. Every time we receive the Eucharist, we are encountering the same Jesus who walked with the disciples on the road to Emmaus.
So how can we recognize Jesus in our daily lives? It starts with being open to His presence. Sometimes, we need to slow down and pay attention to the ways God is working around us. When you pray, ask Jesus to help you see Him more clearly in your life. Take time to reflect on the people and experiences that have brought you comfort, peace, or hope. These might be ways that Jesus is walking with you.
As we continue with our lesson today, I encourage you to reflect on how Jesus has revealed Himself to you. Think about how you can walk with Him as your friend and Savior. What are some ways you can stay connected to Jesus in your daily life? And how can you share the message of Jesus with others, just as the disciples did after they recognized Him? Like the disciples, we are called to share the Good News that Jesus is alive and walking with us, every step of the way.
Small Group Reflection Questions
As you guide your group through a deeper understanding of the Road to Emmaus lesson plan, encourage open and honest sharing. Begin by creating a comfortable environment where everyone feels safe to share their thoughts and experiences. Remind the group that Jesus often reveals Himself through everyday moments, and that sharing our stories can help us recognize His presence in our lives. Ask each question one at a time, allowing everyone a chance to speak. It’s okay if some are more quiet – give them time to reflect. Encourage thoughtful responses, and feel free to share your own experiences to help get the conversation going.
- How can we remind ourselves to be more aware of Jesus walking with us every day?
- Have you ever gone through a time when you felt lost or confused, like the disciples on the Road to Emmaus? What helped you during that time?
- The disciples didn’t recognize Jesus right away. Why do you think we sometimes don’t notice Jesus working in our lives?
- Can you think of a moment when you felt Jesus was with you, even if you didn’t realize it at first? What made you finally recognize His presence?
- Jesus explained the Scriptures to the disciples to help them understand. How has reading the Bible or listening to Scripture at Mass helped you grow in your faith?
- In what ways do you see Jesus in the people around you? How can we better recognize Jesus in others?
- Jesus revealed Himself to the disciples through the breaking of the bread. How does receiving the Eucharist help us feel connected to Jesus today?
- After recognizing Jesus, the disciples rushed to share the news with others. How can we share the message of Jesus with our friends and family?
- What are some ways we can stay close to Jesus, especially during difficult times?
- The disciples felt their hearts burning when Jesus spoke to them. Have you ever had a moment in your faith where you felt that “burning” in your heart? What was it like?
Challenge
This week, I challenge you to take some quiet time to reflect on the ways Jesus has revealed Himself in your life. Think about moments when you felt comforted, guided, or supported. Maybe it was through a kind word from a friend, a Scripture verse that spoke to you, or a sense of peace during prayer. Jesus is always with us, even when we don’t recognize Him right away. Take this time to look back and see how He’s been walking with you all along.
If you feel comfortable, try to share some of these experiences with others. Talking about how Jesus has worked in your life can strengthen your faith and encourage those around you. It might even help someone else recognize Jesus in their own life. As you go through the week, remember to continue walking with Jesus as your friend and Savior. Invite Him into your daily routine, whether it’s through prayer, reading Scripture, or just being open to His presence. You’ll find that the more you walk with Him, the closer He’ll feel.
Prayer
Lead the group in a prayer thanking God for revealing Himself to us and asking for the grace to recognize Jesus in our daily lives.
Loving Father, we thank you for the story of the Road to Emmaus, where Jesus revealed Himself to His disciples after His resurrection. We ask for your guidance and strength as we walk through our own struggles and doubts, and as we strive to recognize Jesus in our daily lives. Help us to see Him in unexpected ways and to walk with Him as our friend and Savior.
Lord, just as the disciples’ eyes were opened as they broke bread with Jesus, we ask that you open our eyes to the truth of your love and the gift of the Eucharist. May we recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread and be filled with His grace and love.
We also are grateful for your blessings on our small groups. May we continue to encourage and support one another in our faith journeys.
We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
More Resources
Emmaus Walk Activity for Youth Ministry
More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections
For more information and resources, see https://young-catholics.com/21914/road-to-emmaus-lesson-plan/