Luke’s account about the appearance of the risen Jesus to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (24:13-35) is his powerful statement on the meaning and implications of the resurrection of our Lord. The issues covered are the apostles’ experience of seeing Jesus risen as the basis for the faith of others, the needs and responsibilities of believers, and the necessary encounter with the glorious Lord now being available to all.
In the Scriptures
Like representatives of humankind in need of clarifications, the two disillusioned disciples departing from the scene of debacle in Jerusalem received an exposition about the Messiah, “beginning with Moses and all the prophets,” from the stranger who was walking along the road with them. The two have been sorely disappointed in their expectations about Jesus the Nazarene, who they were hoping would be the one to redeem Israel. Not even the discovery of the empty tomb and the angels’ announcement that Jesus was alive and the women’s testimony were sufficient to haul them out of their despondency. And their feet say it all: they were returning back to their old lives without Jesus, after that let-down in Jerusalem, the city that had once more killed a prophet.
The stranger (the different one) called the two disciples “foolish” and “slow of heart to believe” what the Scriptures say about the Messiah. For it is here in the field of Scriptures that Jesus Christ is so-to-say buried like a treasure to be discovered, a field under the stewardship of the Christian believer, as Origen loved to point out already in the third century. The Scriptures allow us to understand the events concerning Jesus, that it was necessary for Him to suffer in order to enter into His glory, and so to recognize Him even now in our Liturgy of the Word. It is here that Jesus is present, speaking to us while we travel down the roads of life. Today it is the Church who opens to us the Scriptures so that our “burning hearts” can find rest in our risen Lord.
In the breaking of the bread
Immediately connected with the Word is the Eucharist. When the disciples saw the stranger take bread, say the blessing, break the bread and give it to them, “their eyes were opened and they recognized Him.” These familiar actions of Jesus triggered their transfer to another level of consciousness. In faith, they recalled what he did for the crowd in the wilderness (Luke 9:16), and the Passover meal that he “eagerly desired to eat” with His friends (Luke 22:14). He shared Himself with them then and He clearly wanted to continue giving Himself that people may have life. This is His way, making Himself present and active in the midst of His friends to whom He gives Himself as the bread of eternal life.
In the Eucharist, Jesus crucified for love is recognized as the glorious and risen one keeping company with His loved ones. He chose to be recognized here and in this manner. He whose flesh we do not see, nonetheless we eat, said St. Augustine. Jesus, who may seem to be gone from this world, can actually be detained in our midst when we dare to say as the two disciples did in Emmaus: “Remain with us.” He personally wants to remain with us. It is really up to us, whether we want to sit down at table and enjoy communion with him. Our encounter with and exposure to Jesus in the Scriptures naturally lead us to the thanksgiving and fellowship of the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Alálaong bagá, in their faith experience with the risen Lord, the two reawakened disciples were confirmed by the apostles’ declaration that “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” The testimony of the apostles authenticates our faith. Our own recognition of the Lord in the Scriptures and in the Eucharist is solidly founded on the faith of the apostles. And encountering and having communion with Jesus now means however being on mission for the faith and for the benefit of others that they too may have life eternal. Our life testimony can make the difference for many others walking along the path of life.
Join me in meditating on the Word of God every Sunday, from 5 to 6 a.m. on DWIZ 882, or by audio streaming on www.dwiz882.com.