Our Road to Emmaus

(06 Apr 08 -RV) On the 3^rd Sunday of Easter Pope Benedict recounted the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus and said that their feelings of dejection and disappointment mirrors the feelings of many Christian today when they experience a lack of hope and faith.
Sometimes, said the Holy Father faith itself enters into crisis, because of negative experiences that make us feel abandoned and betrayed even by the Lord".

In the Gospel, Pope Benedict said two followers of Christ who, who are sad and downcast after his death leave Jerusalem and head toward a nearby village called Emmaus.  Along the road, the risen Jesus comes up beside them, but they do not recognise him. 
Jesus, said the Holy Father senses their dejection and explains on the basis of the Scriptures, that the Messiah had to suffer and die in order to enter his glory. 
Emmaus said the Pope is every place, the road that leads there is the journey of each Christian.
The risen Christ journey’s with us , on our road, to reawaken within our hearts the warmth of faith and hope, and to break the bread of eternal life".
This gospel story of Emmaus continued Pope Benedict suggests that it is possible to encounter the risen Jesus "still today". 
"Jesus speaks to us in the Scripture; still today Jesus gives us his Body and his Blood". 
After reciting the Regina Caeli the Pope made reference to the recent first World Congress of Divine Mercy held in Rome, saying to all those who attended “go and be witnesses of the mercy of God, the spring of hope for every man and for the entire world. 
Made the risen Lord be with you always".
He also greeted the many members present in St Peter’s Square from the Focalare movement before imparting his apostolic blessing in a number of languages including English.
 I am happy to greet all the English-speaking visitors present at today’s Regina Caeli prayer. On this Third Sunday of Easter, Saint Luke relates how the Risen Christ walks with his disciples, makes their hearts burn within them by his words, and reveals himself in the breaking of the bread. Let us pray that our Easter journey will teach us to open our hearts with joy to the living Christ present in his Church. Upon all of you I invoke God’s abundant blessings.