Do you know how the Holy Mass is related to the incidents that happened on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35).

Let’s begin by understanding the two main parts of the Catholic Mass. The first part is called the Liturgy of the Word. This part majorly consists of the readings from scriptures. The faithful gathered listens and meditates on the word of God. This is followed by the Liturgy of the Eucharist. It is during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the faithful receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ through the breaking of bread and communion.

The biblical reference for the order of the Holy Mass can be traced to the gospel of Luke. Cleopas and the other disciple while on their way to Emma’us were discussing the events that had just happened in Jerusalem regarding the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Jesus approaches them and the disciples do not recognize him. Jesus admonishes them for being slow of heart to believe what the prophets had declared and “beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). Towards evening when they were at the table, “He took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them” (Luke 24:30). Here we can observe that the reading of the scriptures is followed by the breaking of the bread!

The gospel relates how the disciple’s hearts were burning when Jesus interpreted the scriptures (Luke 24:32) and how their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus through the breaking of the bread (Luke 24:31). Today with hearts burning we can encounter the real presence of our risen Lord through the Holy Mass.