There is something satisfying about completing a puzzle. When a piece perfectly slides into place it brings joy, satisfaction, and reveals more of the bigger picture. I suspect this is what happened to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, they slowly pieced together a big puzzle.

For most of the journey, the disciples didn’t recognize Jesus. They couldn’t figure out the puzzle, the mystery. That Jesus died on Friday and was alive on Sunday.

Then finally all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place when Jesus ‘took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.’ Ah ha! They finally got it. It was the celebration of the Eucharist that opened their eyes to recognising him. The Eucharist was the key for these disciples.

The Eucharist is the key for us as disciples as well. In everything else that we do as Catholics it is ‘potestas Christi’ the power of Christ that is present. When you listen to a good worship song, when you cry in reconciliation, when you feel uplifted after prayer or when you are consoled by a friend, it’s the power of Christ. But in the Eucharist, it’s ‘ipse Christus’ Christ himself that is present. Which is why the Eucharist is immensely important, the source and summit of everything that we do.

What is my relationship is with the Eucharist really like?

by Fr Isaac Falzon