And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took
bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that
their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished
from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our
hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened
the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:30–31
Two of Jesus’ disciples had been discussing the events of the past
week as they walked the seven-mile journey along the road from
Jerusalem to Emmaus. They previously had hoped that Jesus was the
one Who would redeem Israel—but then He was killed. And three days
later, there were rumors of His Resurrection, which only left them
confused. As they journeyed, Jesus appeared to the two disciples,
but they did not recognize Him at first. His identity was hidden
from their eyes. Jesus listened to them and expressed sorrow at
their lack of understanding, so He explained to them the teachings
of Moses and the prophets and that the Messiah needed to suffer,
die and rise on the third day. As Jesus spoke, the disciples began
to understand, and their hearts burned within them. Finally, in the
gift of the Holy Eucharist, in the breaking of the Bread, their
eyes were opened to see that it was Jesus with them.
Why did Jesus hide His risen presence from these disciples? It
appears that He did so because they lacked faith. They said, “...we
were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel.” But the
Crucifixion was too much for them to handle. They could not
comprehend why the Redeemer had to suffer as Jesus did, so they
began to doubt.
Too often we are like these disciples who are confused about
matters of faith and who struggle with doubts. For that reason, we
must see ourselves in the persons of these disciples as they walked
the road to Emmaus. Jesus offered these disciples a wonderful gift
of mercy by helping them to understand His saving act. He explained
to them all that was taught in Scripture regarding Him. And as
these disciples listened to Jesus teach them, they slowly came to
believe.
We, too, must allow Jesus to teach us about the transforming power
of His death and Resurrection. We must listen attentively and allow
our hearts to burn within us as we listen to His holy Word. Only in
this way will we come to the level of faith we need to more fully
comprehend and accept the transforming power of the Paschal
Mystery.
Reflect, today, upon these disciples and their need to reflect upon
the Word of God so as to understand, believe and have their eyes
opened. Know that you need this same grace. You need to spend time
with our Lord, immersed in His Word, listening to His voice, so
that you will come to believe more fully. Allow the message of
Jesus’ death and Resurrection to burn within you so that you, too,
will come to believe.
My resurrected Lord, You appeared to these disciples who lacked
faith and understanding and gave them the gift of Your holy
teaching. Teach me, dear Lord, all that I must come to understand
and know about You, Your death, Resurrection and glorious gift of
new life. May Your Word burn within me and lead me to a
transformation of my life. Jesus, I trust in You.
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Featured image above: The Emmaus Disciples By Abraham
Bloemaert, via Wikimedia Commons
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