First reading
Acts 2:14, 22–33
God raised this man Jesus to life, and all of us are witnesses to this.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 15(16):1–2, 5, 7–11
R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.
Second reading
1 Peter 1:17–21
Your ransom was paid in the precious blood of Christ.
Gospel acclamation
cf. Luke 24:32
Lord Jesus, make your word plain to us: make our hearts burn with love when you speak.
Gospel
Luke 24:13–35
They recognised him at the breaking of bread.
Images from the Word
- Faces downcast
- What things?
- Recognised him
- Raised to the heights
- Blood of a lamb
Liturgical notes
It is therefore expedient that the Eucharistic bread, even though unleavened and baked in the traditional shape, be made in such a way that the priest at Mass with a congregation is able in practice to break it into parts for distribution to at least some of the faithful.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §321
In the previous Tridentine Rite of the Mass, the presiding priest would have a special host, which he alone would consume at Communion. In the reformed Rite, the bread for Mass ‘should truly have the appearance of food’ and, significantly, should be able to be broken so that it can be shared with members of the assembly—a reminder of the ancient title for the Mass: ‘the Breaking of Bread’. In this ritual of sharing the one Bread of Eucharist, we remember we all form a single Body—a unity served by a diversity of ministers.
‘Look with kindness upon your people, O Lord, and grant, we pray, that those you were pleased to renew by eternal mysteries may attain in their flesh the incorruptible glory of the resurrection.’
—prayer after Communion