Easter Wednesday marks the midpoint of the Easter Octave. The Church continues to celebrate the Resurrection with undiminished joy, reflecting on the encounters between the risen Christ and his disciples.
The Gospel often proclaimed on Easter Wednesday completes the Emmaus story. After Jesus revealed himself in the breaking of bread:
"They said to one another, 'Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?" — Luke 24:32-33
The disciples who had walked away from Jerusalem in despair now rushed back to share the good news. Their encounter with the risen Lord transformed their direction entirely.
Returning to Jerusalem, they found the eleven gathered together, already saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then, as they were speaking:
"As they said these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, 'Peace be to you.' But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit." — Luke 24:36-37
Jesus showed them his hands and feet, and ate broiled fish to prove he was not a ghost. The Resurrection was physical and real.
"Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures." — Luke 24:45
The risen Christ revealed how all the Scriptures—the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms—pointed to him. What had been mysterious became clear. What had been hidden was revealed.
Throughout the Easter Octave, we see the ripple effect of the Resurrection. First one disciple, then another, then groups of disciples encountered the risen Lord. The testimony multiplied. The Church was being born.
We too encounter the risen Christ: