The story in today’s Gospel is one of the most beloved of all the post-Resurrection stories. Meeting two disciples on the road to Emmaus, Jesus gradually reveals himself to them until they come to recognize him in the breaking of the bread.
Perhaps the story is one of our favorites because it expresses the very human emotions that must have been coursing through the minds of the disciples. Jesus had been put to death. Most of his disciples had abandoned him in the hour of his greatest need. Luke’s Gospel reveals that some of the women stood at a distance as Jesus hung upon the cross. The Gospel of John records that Mary, the mother of Jesus, as well as Mary, the wife of Clopas, Mary Magdalen, and the Beloved Disciple stood at the foot of his cross. The realization of what had happened led at least two of the disciples to return to their homes. Emmaus lies east of Jerusalem. This means that at the end of the day, these two disciples were moving into the darkness. The physical darkness is a metaphor for the darkness that had enveloped their hearts.
Dejected and disappointed, they are at the point of giving up. It is these two who are sent running back to Jerusalem to let the disciples know that Jesus is indeed alive and still bringing the Good News to his disciples.
We all know disappointment. It is simply part of the human experience. However, today’s Gospel leads us to the altar where we encounter Jesus ourselves. We too come to know him in the breaking of the bread.
Jesus is still with us. Alleluia, alleluia.
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator