That very day, the
first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven
miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the
things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and
debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were
prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, "What are you discussing as
you walk along?" They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named
Cleopas, said to him in reply, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who
does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?"
And he replied to them, "What sort of things?" They said to him,
"The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty
in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and
rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we
were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it
is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however,
have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find
his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of
angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the
tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not
see." And he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of
heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the
Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" Then
beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred
to him in all the scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were
going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him,
"Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over."
So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them
at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With
that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their
sight. Then they said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within
us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?" So
they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together
the Eleven and those with them who were saying, "The Lord has truly been
raised and has appeared to Simon!" Then the two recounted what had taken
place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the
bread. (Luke 24:13-35)
Introductory Prayer: Lord, you are the
source of all life because you are life itself. Your resurrection gives me the
hope of being raised from the dead to rejoice with you forever in heaven. I
need to dwell more often on the good you have done for us and on your promises
to those who put their trust in you. Thank you, Jesus, for taking up your life
again and leading the way home to heaven. I love you, and I want to follow
after you with all my heart. I want to cooperate more fully with you in
bringing many others there with me.
Petition: Lord Jesus,
walk by my side. Open up my person to the meaning of Scripture and the events
of life. Make my heart burn within me with your words .
1. It is Over: These two
disciples had been badly shaken by the events of the last few days. They had
courageously left home and family to follow the Lord. They had listened to his
words, witnessed his miracles, and even generously gone out and preached in his
name. They had expected Jesus to be the longed-for Messiah. And it was
precisely at the moment Jesus referred to as “his hour”, when he was
accomplishing his greatest work, that these disciples broke with Jesus. What
went wrong? God worked in a way and with a power these disciples had not
expected, and which they did not accept. The cross and suffering had not
entered into their plans. A gloriously triumphant path, they could accept, but
not a crucified Lord. As long as there were miracles, encouraging crowds and the
high of emotion, following Christ was their thing. But when the Cross cast its
shadow, they threw in the towel. And so, they are on their way back home,
back to their old lifestyle, hopes shattered and faces downcast. Their
conversation was a self-pitying reconstruction of events, without faith,
without a sense of God, sunken in their own sorrow.
2. Intrusion by an
Innocent Bystander: The two disciples are so centered on their own woes and
wounds that they do not recognize who walks alongside them. Feeling sorry for
ourselves does not help us go to God, but only immerses us further in our own
impotence. What breaks through this situation? An unexpected question that
destroys the incorrect assumptions of these two malcontents and invites them to
look more deeply at their own situation. Reflection on the obvious, on the real
events of our life (and not our own broken, limited plans and hopes) is what
begins to open the door to a reborn hope. What are you talking about? Why? Did
you fail to grasp something?
3. Sharing our Bread
with a Stranger: Christ is the shepherd that seeks out these two stray
sheep. As always, he masterfully and gently enlightens their consciences and
leads them to the truth. Listening to Christ prepares these two disciples to
recognize him when he takes, breaks, blesses and gives them “bread” – the same
actions of the Last Supper. After recognizing Our Lord in the “breaking of the
bread”, their entire dispositions change. Even their way of assessing events
and situations changes. They had stopped for the evening, but after
experiencing the Lord, they raced out in the middle of the night to share their
experience with the others.
Conversation with
Christ:
Lord Jesus, teach me detachment from self, and acceptance of your glorious
plan. Walk always by my side, and help me realize that as long as I am in
conversation with You, even without my realizing it, there is always hope and
salvation.
Resolution: I will let God
break my own limited plans and expectations. I will talk to Christ about what
goals he wants me to set for my life, impossible though they may seem.
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