A human resources director asked four job applicants the same question: what is two and two?

A journalist answered, “22.”

An engineer calculated it to be somewhere between 3.999 and 4.001

A lawyer cited a court case in which 2 + 2 had been proven to be four.

An accountant leaned across the desk and said, in a low tone, “How much do you want it to be?”

It seems that the Risen Christ left a different impression on just about everyone who saw him. So much so that, when Jesus entered the room, and stood in their midst, they were completely confounded and panic-stricken.

“They thought they were seeing a ghost.”

The two disciples from the Emmaus journey had just met Jesus and they were confounded and fearful.

Some things are just too good to be true. As they say, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

Every once in a while you, as they, get pleasantly surprised. Something that seems too good to be true, turns out to be genuine.

Their first reaction is that they are terrified! Who wouldn’t be?

The second reaction for their reluctance to admit to themselves that Christ was alive, according to St. Luke — was incredulous joy and amazement. It’s that “Antiques Road Show”-type of happiness: Oh my God! I can’t believe it! You’re kidding!

And finally they are hesitant and afraid that his resurrection might require some change in the way they have been living their lives. Teaching his Apostles, his disciples, and others was not always easy for Jesus. And so it continues, even into our days and times.

A mother accused her daughter’s teacher of not teaching what the Church teaches about the Trinity.

The teacher asked what had upset her so. The mother angrily answered, “You taught my daughter that the Trinity is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”

Puzzled, the teacher asked the mother what was wrong with that. Even more angry the mother responded, “Everyone knows that the Trinity is Jesus, Mary and Joseph!”

Catholics, it is said, are notoriously ignorant of the Scriptures and the teachings of their Church. Ignorant means you simply do not know. One reason, they say, is that Catholic education ends too early and so we have programs to make up for the inadequacies.

One of the most notable areas that demonstrates a lack of understanding and faith in the sacred Scriptures and the teachings of the Church is this thought: “I don’t have to go to church to be a good Catholic.” (That statement is made in all the Christian denominations, not just Catholic).

You cannot practice what you do not know. You cannot believe what you have not yet learned. In the Emmaus story, the two disciples were running away from their community but they came back and experienced Jesus in faith with others. Where are you?