Today’s first reading from Acts and the Psalm remind us to persevere and not allow the concerns of the day to waiver our faith. “I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed,” the psalmist says. On the road to Emmaus, Cleopas says to Jesus, whom he does not recognize: “it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, 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.” Jesus expresses disappointment in their initial lack of faith. “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!” It wasn’t until he broke the bread for them that “their eyes were opened and they recognized him.” God's words open our eyes to the importance of spiritual diligence - doing everything needed for the salvation of our soul and the souls around us. The Resurrection opened heaven to those “who through him believe in God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory so that your faith and hope are in God.” St. Peter reminds us to hold fast to this truth so that our hope and faith remain with God. The testimony of those who saw, spoke, and ate with the Risen Lord, provides us a confident hope in the Good News. No one, but One, has ever claimed to be the Son of God and then rose from the dead. Two Thousand years later, we are still speaking of his salvific work upon the cross, still re-presenting those moments upon altars across the world, still worshiping and singing praises. In the Walk to Emmaus. Jesus journeyed alongside these disciples, but they did not recognize him. He is still with us today, a true and ever-present companion. How often do we fail to recognize Jesus in our midst? In the Emmaus encounter, in the breaking of bread, “their eyes were opened and they recognized him” (Luke 24:31). Jesus offers the faithful that same wondrous opportunity at each and every Mass to be present at the blessing and breaking of the bread. To experience the burning of our hearts as the Scriptures are opened, and Jesus is made truly present - Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity - in the Eucharist. When the disciples encountered Jesus on the road, they urged him to stay with them. Through God's mystical, remarkable workings, which we will never comprehend this side of heaven, Jesus remains with us still  at every Consecration, in every Tabernacle, and within the heart of those who receive him in the Eucharist.