Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck
A reflection on the Gospel of Luke 24:13-35
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
Once in a quiet convent in France, a young woman named Thérèse lived her “little way” with a heart overflowing with hope. St. Thérèse of Lisieux believed that holiness was not found in grand deeds, but in simple acts of love and kindness. Even as a child, Thérèse prayed for her “spiritual eyes” to be opened—to see Jesus in everyone, especially those who challenged her patience or seemed difficult to love.
When a fellow sister would irritate her, Thérèse would smile all the more, telling Jesus in her heart, “I see You hidden in her.” Her days were filled with ordinary tasks, yet every moment was a chance to encounter Christ. Through the eyes of love, she discovered Jesus in the faces around her, and her whole life became a song of joy. Thérèse’s hope never faded, even in suffering, because she recognized Jesus walking with her in every circumstance, in every person she met.
Recognizing Jesus on the Road: From Sorrow to Burning Joy in the Light of the Resurrection
Today’s Gospel takes us on another road—a dusty path to Emmaus—where two disciples walk with heavy hearts. They have witnessed the death of their hope. Jesus, whom they loved, is gone. As they journey, a stranger joins them. They do not recognize him. The Gospel tells us “their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.” Yet this stranger listens to their sorrow, invites them to retell the story of their dashed dreams, and walks with them patiently.
How often in our own lives do we walk with eyes half-closed, missing Jesus who walks beside us? We are so busy, so focused on our own worries, our own plans, that we fail to see the Lord present in our neighbor, our families, the poor, the stranger, and sometimes; let’s be honest, even in ourselves.
But the story does not end in darkness. When Jesus finally reveals himself to the disciples in Emmaus, it happens in the breaking of the bread. Suddenly, “their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.” This is the same Jesus who had been with them all along, risen and alive! Their sorrow is transformed into burning joy: “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way?” They rush back to Jerusalem, filled with hope, to tell the others that Jesus is risen.
This is the heart of our faith: Jesus is not just a memory or an idea, but a living presence. His Resurrection is the victory of hope over despair, of love over death. In every Mass, as we listen to the Word and break the Bread, the Risen Christ comes to us again. Every day, He walks with us, even when we do not recognize Him.
How the Holy Spirit Opens Our Eyes to Christ in Everyday Moments
What does it take for our eyes to be opened? For St. Thérèse, it was a daily prayer to love in the small things and see Christ in every person. For the disciples, it was walking with Jesus and welcoming Him in. And for us, it might be the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit—a word of encouragement, a quiet moment of prayer, or the loving gaze of someone who sees Christ in us.
Catholic writer Caryll Houselander wrote, “Christ is always with us, always asking for room in our hearts… and giving himself to us in the faces of those we encounter.” To see Jesus in others is not just a nice idea; it’s our calling as Christians. Every time you forgive, listen with compassion, feed the hungry, visit the lonely, or offer a smile to a stranger, your eyes are being opened to Jesus present right there.
But it’s not just about seeing Jesus in others. The Holy Spirit helps us see Jesus in ourselves, too. We are temples of the Spirit, beloved children of God. Sometimes, we need to let go of shame or self-doubt and allow the Spirit to show us the dignity and beauty that God sees in us.
Opening Our Eyes: Daily Encounters with Jesus in Prayer and Eucharist
How do we open our eyes? By praying for the Holy Spirit to guide us. By asking God, “Show me your face today,” and being willing to be surprised by where he turns up. Maybe it’s the coworker who frustrates you, the child who needs extra patience, or the friend who’s struggling – Jesus is there.
For most of us, opening our eyes is a daily conversion—a thousand little moments when we ask the Lord to help us see. The disciples on the road to Emmaus didn’t recognize Jesus until they welcomed him in, invited him to stay, and shared a meal. We do the same at every Mass, as we gather, listen to the Word, and break the bread. Our eyes are opened, again and again.
Give thanks to God for the gift of sight; not just with our eyes, but with the eyes of our hearts. Ask the Holy Spirit today to open your vision, to reveal Jesus all around you, and deep within you. Choose to be people of hope, bringing the joy of the Risen Christ into the world: not only in words, but in the way you notice, serve, and love one another.
May we echo those disciples, saying, “Were not our hearts burning within us?” And may we, filled with hope, go out to share the Good News: Jesus is alive, he is walking with us, and through the Spirit, he opens our eyes every day. Alleluia!
About Our Guest Blogger
Saint Carlo Acutis once said, “Not me, but God.” His words echo deeply in my own spiritual life. This blog is not about me, but about the work of the Holy Spirit. I choose to remain anonymous because the voice behind these reflections isn’t what matters — the One speaking through them is.
I am a lifelong Catholic with a deep love for Scripture, the sacraments, and the quiet ways God speaks through everyday life. Live the Eucharist was born from my desire to share how the Gospel and the Eucharist shape not just my Sundays, but every step of the journey.
My hope is that these reflections bless you, challenge you, and draw you closer to Jesus — truly present in the Eucharist and profoundly present in your daily life.
