
Reflection –
The speech of Peter in Acts and the dialogue with the Risen Christ on the road to Emmaus both feature a lot of explaining. The nothing-has-changed and yet everything has-changed reality of life after the Resurrection seems to run counter to so many expectations for an immediate and outward overthrow of the current order. The new era of living in faith in what has been revealed in Jesus Christ is beginning
Mass readings.
Third Sunday of Easter, 18th & 19th of April, 2026
1st Reading: Acts 2:14, 22b-33
Responsorial Psalm. O Lord, you will show me the path of life
Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:17-21
Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia. Lord Jesus, open the Scriptures to us, make our hearts burn within us when you speak to us. Alleluia
Gospel: Luke 24:13-35
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PARISH UPDATES:
Gift Aid – If you haven’t already done so, please pick up your Gift Aid envelopes from the back of the Church. The new tax year starts this Sunday so its important the new envelopes are used from now on.
World Day of Prayer for Vocation – Takes place on Sunday 26 April. There will be a special collection for Ecclesiastical students. Your donation helps cover tuition fees and living costs for seminarians. Matthew McCafferty, a seminarian for the Archdiocese, said: “Knowing that the faithful of the Archdiocese are supporting us—both spiritually and in practical ways—gives great encouragement. It’s a reminder that this vocation is something we share together as a Church.” Donations can also be made online at bit.ly/eccstudents25
Playlist: What’s Happening at Mass – The Archdiocese recently hosted a Faith Day at the Gillis Centre titled What’s Happening at Mass. Watch the six talks from guest speakers on our Archdiocesan YouTube channel and deepen your understanding of what you are seeing, hearing, saying, and doing at Mass: bit.ly/happensatmass
Rosary and National Pro-Life Chain in Edinburgh – SPUC’s annual Edinburgh Pro-life Chain is on Saturday 25 April on Lothian Road, Edinburgh. The day includes three simple opportunities to take part — come along for all of it or join in for whatever you can: 10:00am: Rosary for Life, Sacred Heart Church, Lauriston Road, EH3 9DJ, led by Archbishop Cushley; 11:00am: Pro-Life Chain; 1:15pm: Refreshments and social in Sacred Heart Church Hall.
Pentecost event for young adults – Join young adults from across the Archdiocese to celebrate Pentecost at St Andrew’s Church, 77 Belford Road, Edinburgh on Saturday 23 May, beginning at 4:00pm. There will be a talk, Eucharistic Adoration & opportunity for Confession, Holy Mass and a barbecue. Organised by the Archdiocese along with youth ministry at Edinburgh Jesuit Church, St Mary’s Cathedral and St Albert’s Chaplaincy. Register at bit.ly/pentecost26. Come, Holy Spirit!
Our Lady’s Offertory Collections.
Last Sunday’s collection: £1,762
Month total collections (Bank & Cash) £2,421
Special Collections: £-
Bank Total (month) £778
Mass Bookings.
We are reminded that the booking of mass for our special intentions, wedding anniversaries, Birthday thanksgiving, Death anniversaries of our loved ones and general prayers is highly recommended. The mass stipends (Donations) are part of our contribution towards the good of the church and support of our priest.
MASS TIMINGS
MASS INTENTIONS
MASS DONOR
Wednesday, April 22nd, 10.00am
- Baba Mai, Sr Angela
- Alice
Friday April 24th, 10.00am
-Ba Cry, Mai Gladys, Mai Jabu
- Alice
Sunday, April 26th, 11.30am
- George Burt – for a full recovery
- Ian Sommerville
Blessings to you, your families and those who are dear to you in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Fr. Francis & Fr Malachy (SMMM)

Two of the disciples were going to a village named Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
On the first day of the week, two of the disciples of Jesus were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognising him. And he said to them, ‘What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?’ And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?’ And he said to them, ‘What things?’ And they said to him, ‘Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.’ And he said to them, ‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going further, but they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, for it is towards evening and the day is now far spent.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognised him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?’ And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the Eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Reflection on the painting
There are times in life when we realise that we are walking in the wrong direction. We drift into habits or choices that do not quite fit us, and something within us begins to stir. A restlessness. We sense that we are moving away from where we should be, and we know that it is wrong, but we still continue heading in the wrong direction. Often it is not deliberate though. Often it starts just with disappointment, with hurt, with confusion. Our emotions cloud our vision, and we find ourselves walking away when we should perhaps be staying… or turning back.
That is what happens to the disciples in the Gospel of Luke as they make their way to Emmaus. The two disciples are walking away from Jerusalem, leaving behind the very place where everything is about to change. The Cross has shattered their hopes, and in that heaviness, they forget the promise of resurrection. All they could focus on was seeing Jesus dead on the cross, and they forgot about the promise of the Resurrection, so they just left the very place where they should have remained. How often it is the same for us: sorrow clouds our memory, disappointment narrows our vision, and we find ourselves walking away from what we most deeply need.
Then the risen Christ does something beautiful: he does not call them back from a distance, but walks beside them on their mistaken path. He listens. He allows them to speak, even though their story is incomplete. He walks with them in the wrong direction first before he even speaks. And perhaps there is a lesson here for us: when we see others walking in the wrong direction, we may be called to do the same: to walk with them for a while, to listen patiently… and then, gently, to help them find their way back.
Contemporary artist, Liz Lemon Swindle painted our canvas depicting the road to Emmaus. Christ is clothed in a luminous white post-Resurrection garment, walking quietly alongside the two disciples. The scene unfolds in a gentle, pastoral setting, alive with fresh green foliage… green, the colour of new shoots, of hope, of life beginning again.