The Road to Emmaus

The Road to Emmaus

Lk 24: 13 - 35

Third Sunday of Easter

Introduction

Our reading is about the two disciples who were travelling to Emmaus. As they traveled, Jesus accompanies them and listens to their stories. As the night drew near, they beg Jesus to stay with them. There, while at table, in the breaking of the bread, they recognize Jesus who immediately vanishes from their sight.

The Gospel

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.

Reflection

A COMPANION ALONG THE ROAD

Today’s reading is about two disciples of Jesus who were heading to a village called Emmaus. As they were walking, they were approached by the risen Lord who remained unrecognized by them. As gleaned from their conversation, it appeared that the two disciples were deeply disappointed. They were disappointed at the turn of events particularly at how their leaders handed Jesus over to die on the cross. But they were also disappointed at Jesus. They had pinned all their hopes on him. Now those hopes are all gone with his death. As they continued their journey, Jesus, however, understood their disappointments and took the time to enlighten them by explaining how the events that have just transpired were part of God’s plan. Then as they approached Emmaus and was getting dark, the two disciples urged Jesus to stay for the night. There, while at table, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and suddenly, they recognized Jesus who immediately vanished from their sight.

This story, narrated only in the gospel of Luke, is a beautiful story about the risen Lord. It speaks about Jesus who travels and accompanies us and listens to our stories. When life becomes frustrating and disappointing, we tend to move and run away from everything that hurts us. This is what the two disciples did as they moved away from Jerusalem, the city that had failed them and shattered their dreams. Like them, we too move away and take flight from the pains and hurts of everyday life. And just like them also, we encounter Jesus there as a companion along the road who listens and stays with us.

As Jesus brightened up the sad and gloomy faces of his disciples along the  way, so too does he brighten up and console our spirits by opening up his Word to us. There in his Word, we find the answers to the deepest longings of our hearts; there too, we find the light that guides us through troubling and uncertain times. In his Word, Jesus takes away our sadness and sets our hearts ablaze - an experience the two disciples recalled as Jesus spoke to them on the road.

But the biggest surprise of this journey was when the risen Lord, through the breaking of the bread, opened his disciples’s eyes so they could recognize him. The Lord stays and accompanies people who beg him, and tell him : “ Stay with us Lord for the night is already near.” We can always remain confident that Jesus will be with us when we sincerely beg him to be with us during the most difficult moments of our life. Just like the two disciples, we too might be in for a big surprise to know that Jesus has been with us all along our journey.

This reading would have encouraged Luke’s early Christian community as they struggled through so many difficulties. But this reading also encourages us today especially at this time when we feel so much anxiety and uncertainty because of this global pandemic. Locked up in our own homes, we see signs of death and desperation everywhere. Streets are deserted. The number of fatalities continues to rise. People struggle to survive on a day to day basis. Many people live in fear not knowing what to do. Amidst all these troubling realities, Jesus travels with us and accompanies us through our gloomy and uncertain journey; listening, inspiring and helping us make sense of the suffering we experience.

At the end of this beautiful story, we see the two disciples rushing back to Jerusalem. Re-invigorated and renewed by Jesus, they return courageously  to the place they were running away from, a place that brought them untold pain and sorrow. Just like them, we too can find the same strength and renewed courage to face the difficult problems and trials of the moment, knowing for certain that the risen Lord will always be a companion along the road listening carefully to our stories. Take courage. He is risen. Halleluiah!

Prayer

Be with us Jesus along the journey of life. When we are overwhelmed by our troubles and fears, accompany us on the journey Lord. When the day is done and night is already near, stay with us Lord. Amen.

“Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” – Lk 24:29