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The Catholic Community of St. John the Evangelist

1061 S. Ellington Parkway, Lewisburg, TN 37091

Third Sunday of Easter

April 19, 2026 • Week 41

You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence. — Acts 2:28

God’s Plan

Saint Peter speaks to us twice today. In the first reading, we hear an excerpt from his sermon on Pentecost; in the second, part of his first letter. Once a frightened, uneducated fisherman who often said just the wrong thing, now Peter is speaking what he knows to be true. Everything Jesus had said now makes sense. His death and rising were all part of God’s plan, and our faith and hope can be centered on God.

Today’s Gospel tells the story of Jesus’ walk to Emmaus with two of the disciples. Frightened, sad, and confused, the two of them don’t recognize Jesus, who tells them what we heard Peter say above: All this had to happen as part of God’s plan. In the end, these disciples recognize Jesus as we are to recognize him—in the breaking of the bread.

— Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Mass Schedule

Announcements

Parish Events & Notices

CCD Classes — CCD classes will meet today at 10:15 AM.

Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries (BAAM) — The 2026 Bishop’s Annual Appeal for Ministries starts this weekend. It is the lifeline of the Diocese of Nashville. Through the generosity of those who support the Appeal, vocations are nurtured, families grow in faith, and those in need find renewed hope. Together, we help make Christ’s compassion known throughout Middle Tennessee. Please prayerfully consider giving to the BAAM.

Mother’s Guild — The Mother’s Guild will meet on Sunday, April 26, at 2:00 PM. There will be a potluck meal, so please bring a dish to share.

Youth Group — St. John’s Youth Group, grades 5th–12th, will meet on Wednesday, April 29, at 6:30–8:30 PM.

Catholic Home Missions Appeal — Next week we will take up the Catholic Home Missions Appeal. Nearly 40% of dioceses in the United States and its current and former territories are unable to fund the essential pastoral work their communities need. Your support for this appeal helps them meet these faith formation and sacramental needs. Please prayerfully consider how you can support this appeal. Find more information at www.usccb.org/home-missions.

Confirmation 2 Confession — On Thursday, April 30, at 5:30 PM there will be Confession for those students in the Confirmation 2 class.

Easter Flower Donations — There are envelopes on the tables in the hall and vestibule if you would like to make a donation for Easter flowers in memory of a loved one.

Online Giving — Use the parish QR code to make your donation online.

Welcome New Parishioners!

Registration cards are on the table in the hall and vestibule. Fill out the card and put it in the collection basket the next time you come to Mass. If you would like envelopes and/or would like to receive the Tennessee Register, please contact Jenny at the parish office 359-5017.

Today’s Readings

First Reading — God has raised the crucified Jesus, who now pours forth the Holy Spirit upon us (Acts 2:14, 22–33).

Psalm — Lord, you will show us the path of life (Psalm 16).

Second Reading — Our faith and hope are in God, who raised Jesus from the dead (1 Peter 1:17–21).

Gospel — Through his words and in the breaking of the bread, the risen Christ made himself known to two disciples on their way to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–35).

Readings for the Week

Monday: Acts 6:8–15; Ps 119:23–24, 26–27, 29–30; Jn 6:22–29

Tuesday: Acts 7:51 — 8:1a; Ps 31:3cd–4, 6, 7b, 8a, 17, 21ab; Jn 6:30–35

Wednesday: Acts 8:1b–8; Ps 66:1–3a, 4–7a; Jn 6:35–40

Thursday: Acts 8:26–40; Ps 66:8–9, 16–17, 20; Jn 6:44–51

Friday: Acts 9:1–20; Ps 117:1bc, 2; Jn 6:52–59

Saturday: Acts 9:31–42; Ps 116:12–17; Jn 6:60–69

Next Sunday: Acts 2:14a, 36–41; Ps 23:1–6; 1 Pt 2:20b–25; Jn 10:1–10

Reflecting on the Word

As I slowly rolled out the timeline, I started the narration: “There has always been a plan in the mind of God . . .” The group of nine-year-old children around me had heard this opening before in the lessons that pertained to some aspect of sacred history. These timelines followed a basic pattern: God created the universe, gave humankind the gifts of the universe, then gave humankind the gift of God’s own self in the person of Jesus, and we now wait for that time when God will be all in all. With this particular timeline, I talk with them about how we are given the gifts of the sacraments, through which Jesus continues to be with us as we wait and work for the fullness of the kin-dom of God.

The children ponder the Eucharist and consider it from different angles. They ask questions about the Real Presence. We come to the conclusion that we don’t have to have all the answers about Jesus’ presence in the bread and the wine, just believe that he is truly and fully present. I circle back to the opening of the narration and ask them how the Eucharist was part of God’s plan. After some discussion and debate, they concluded that maybe even if the Eucharist specifically wasn’t part of God’s plan from the beginning, Jesus certainly was. God loves us so much that God had already planned to give us the gift of Jesus and continues that plan through Jesus present in the Eucharist.

Each of the readings today refers in some way to the eternal plan, that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah of the Lord. While the first two readings have Peter witnessing to that, the Gospel has Jesus himself explaining how he was foretold throughout sacred history, finally revealing himself in the breaking of the bread. But just as they realized they had been talking with the Risen Jesus, he “vanished from their sight.” As if to say, “I may not be visible to you, but I am here, have always been, and will always be.”

— Excerpted from Living the Word

Mission Statement

We, the members of Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, recognize and respect our diverse and multicultural character. By the grace of God, we will nurture our spiritual community through prayer, service, and example to become one family in Christ.