Gospel, Lucas (24:13-35)

Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Luke

The Walk to Emmaus

 13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[f] 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.

Gospel of the Lord

                   

Reflection

In this story, two disciples appear on the way from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Slowly and gradually, they discover the Risen Jesus, who reveals himself through Scripture, the Eucharist and the Community …; The Christological reading of the Scripture was the path initiated by Jesus to make them grow in the Faith. Beginning with Moses, following through the prophets, he explained to them what Scripture referred to Him.

Feeling their hearts burning with inner joy, they invite the stranger to spend the night with them in Emmaus. , And sitting at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it to them. Their eyes were opened and they recognized him. But he disappeared”. “They got up at that moment and returned to Jerusalem, where they found the eleven and their companions gathered together”.

However, they had learned a fundamental lesson, extended to all Christians: the risen Christ remains present among them, in the midst of the community, in a new and certain way, by the faith that is born of his word and his bread. Gathered with the community of Jerusalem, they celebrate the joy of discovery, by sharing their personal experience of the risen Lord. Their testimony of faith echoes in the community. “It is true; the Lord was resurrected and appeared to Simon. And they told of what had happened on the way to Emmaus and how they had recognized him in breaking bread”.

This enchanting narrative reproduces the structure of the celebration of the Eucharist: Jesus in the midst of his own; the word of Scripture; Moses (the Law) and the Prophets; the explanation (homily) that reveals the meaning of the same Scriptures; finally, the “Portion of the bread”, the celebration of the Eucharist…

 

Prayer

Lord, open the eyes of our spirit so that we can seek and recognize you as the God of our lives. Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to recognize you in your word, in the Eucharist and in our brothers and sisters.