Luke 24:13-27 NRSVue
13Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 18Then 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?” 19He 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, 20and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21But 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. 22Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23and 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. 24Some 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.” 25Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
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Some thoughts on this scripture
Reflection
/Stay with us, for it is toward evening./ Of the many Christian prayers that
echo these words of Cleopas, none is more beautiful than John Henry Newman's:
/May He support us all the day long, till the shades lengthen, and the
evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over,
and our work is done! Then in His mercy may He give us a safe lodging, and a
holy rest, and peace at the last. /
Reflection
Every table of the Eucharist is Emmaus; every moment of hearing the
Scriptures is the road to Emmaus. We are always on that road, as Jesus speaks
his word and breaks the bread of his love. The word gives meaning to our
lives as his opening of the Scriptures did for the disciples; the bread of
life feeds us as Jesus did at the table of the disciples. The word and the
bread sent them to the community and into the world with their story of how
they had recognised him. Maybe the daily word and the daily bread can do the
same for us.
Reflection
The disappointed disciples ask the stranger who walks with them if he is the
only one who does not know 'the things that have taken place in these days'.
In fact, he is the only one who does truly know. But, like a good counsellor,
he lets them pour out their feelings and tell their story. In prayer, he
invites me to do the same.
Reflection
The disciples were 'stuck' in a big way, unable to see what had happened in
the light of God's word. Jesus is present in his word, accompanying me in the
experiences of my life, making sense of what happens. Do I search for him?
Can I recognise him?
Reflection
Their hearts burning within them was the sign and measure of his presence. Do
I search for that sign in my actions and my life to know that he is with me?
Reflection
The disciples on the road were talking about what had happened yet were
without insight. They were downbeat, dejected, walking away. When they fell
in step with Jesus they found they had a listener who brought them to hear
their narrative differently. I speak to Jesus of what it is that holds me
back and I seek his response.