Gospel: Luke 24:13-49
13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
17 And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ 19 He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21 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 took place. 22 Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.’
25 Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29 But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.
32 They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ 33 That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34 They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
36 While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ 37 They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 He said to them, ‘Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate in their presence.
44 Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’
Rejoice, My Peace is yours!
Perplexed, confused, fearful, sad, exhausted, looking for an isolated countryside and arguing with each other on their way, two of Jesus’s disciples (Cleopas and ?) are leaving Jerusalem. It is Sunday morning, soon after the good news about the Risen Christ started to spread. A stranger joins them. He has some things to tell them. Their hearts are burning within them as he talks along the road in Luke 24:32, but their eyes are not yet opened!
At sunset, darkness is falling soon. They approach the village they were going to, but the stranger (Jesus) continued on as if he were going further (Luke 24:28). The two disciples, pleased with his company, urged him saying, "Remain with us, for it is dark.” How deep and inspiring this prayer could be. "Remain with us Lord for it is dark!" After a year of devastating pandemic, have we experienced at least some of these same feelings of fear, anxiety, isolation, and encountered contradicting news and views? Was it a dark time in our life? Were we tempted to think that God is a stranger to our needs? Now as we find the appropriate vaccines and medications, we can tell that He is still there, present, loving and active.
For the faithful, as for these two disciples, their eyes are not opened to recognize Jesus until they join him as friends in the breaking of the bread. There they realize the truth and the reality of what they struggle to accept — His Resurrection from the dead. The breaking of the bread, known later as the Holy Supper or the Holy Eucharist, is the evidence of the Risen Christ. He is present in the hearts of his faithful. The Resurrection is highlighted by the Eucharist and the Eucharist is the substantial continuity of the Resurrection. Both are celebrated by the Apostolic Church NOT as symbols but as historic and concrete events.
Happy are those who walk with this stranger who became a friend and, once truly recognized, is worshipped as the Lord.
Rejoice in the celebration of the Resurrection through the breaking of the bread, and receive the precious peace that no body, but the Body of Christ can offer.
Like the two disciples, who were fed by a renewed energy, forgot their stress, fear and doubt, and went up to Jerusalem during the night, let us get rid of all we went through last year where the most positive word was a negative Covid test. With positive energy let us join the two disciples on their way up to Jerusalem to deliver their witness and rejoice peacefully, joyfully and hopefully with a loud voice. Christ is Risen indeed! Alleluia!
With St. Paul in Phil. 4:6, let us wish for each other this Peace that passes all understanding to be in the hearts and minds of the faithful wherever they are!
Alleluia!
Father Kamal - April 4, 2021