April 23, 2025 // Wednesday in the Octave of Easter
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Luke 24:13-35
Reflect on the Word //
Was not my heart burning, Lord? I have known You. I have experienced Your goodness. I have seen You move in my life. And yet, I find myself at times feeling so disconnected from You. I grew up in Catholic School, attended religious education classes and youth ministry nights. I served in ministry (and still do) and yet, I have moments in my life where the burning love for the Lord in my heart is not there.
Have you had this experience, sister? Where the Lord is so near, taking each step right next to you and yet, you feel an emptiness where there was once overflow of His love and presence?
The two men on the road to Emmaus were accompanied by Jesus. Yet they did not recognize Him. They received His interpretation of everything that has come to be through the will of the Father. They desired to hear more, to be fed with knowledge of this Messiah.
And I find myself doing the same. I try to fill this hole with another podcast, conference, or inspiring talk at my parish. We try to satisfy ourselves only to realize we have not received fullness, rather a fix.
I began to replace an audio of a talk with the sound of His voice in the silence of my heart. I began to learn how He speaks to me directly and learned His language of love for me. He has opened my eyes to see the intimacy He holds for me, uniquely and personally. Only after I know His voice, can the other things draw me deeper.
The desire of these men was not bad and neither is our desire to hear more about Him. However, the Lord wants our eyes to be opened to His true presence. He has given us access to Himself directly, freely given at every second of every day dwelling within us from Baptism. He is ever present in “the breaking of the Bread” (Luke 24:35), which is the Eucharist. Today He invites you and me to meet Him there. There, where our hearts will burn for Him once again.
Relate to the Lord // Spend five minutes in silence, listening for the voice of the Lord in your heart.
Stephanie Salinas is a wife and mama living in the West Valley of Arizona. A California native, she enjoys time with family rooting for the LA sports teams. She holds a Communications degree and a Catholic Studies degree. Her background is in parish and diocesan ministry and has a heart for planning opportunities of encounter with Christ through Blessed is She events while also facilitating resources for the Hispanic community. Steph also runs a Young Adult Ministry with her husband, Chilo called The Well. Find out more about it here.
Stephanie Salinas es una esposa y madre que vive en el Valle Oeste de Arizona. Originalmente de California, disfruta del tiempo con su familia apoyando a los equipos deportivos de Los Ángeles. Tiene una licenciatura en Comunicaciones y Estudios Catolicos. Su experiencia es en el ministerio parroquial y diocesano y tiene corazón para la planificación de oportunidades de encuentro con Cristo a través de eventos Blessed is She, al mismo tiempo facilitando recursos para la comunidad hispana. Steph también ofrece un ministerio para jóvenes adultos con su esposo, Chilo llamado The Well. Encuentra mas información aqui.
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