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That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples
were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus,
and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred.
And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus
himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were
prevented from recognizing him. Luke 24:13–16
These two disciples were overwhelmed by grief and bewildered by the
events that had taken place. As they walked the seven-mile journey
from Jerusalem to Emmaus, they expressed their sadness and
confusion. Jesus, Whom they had hoped “would be the one to redeem
Israel,” was brutally tortured and crucified before their eyes.
After His death, He was buried, and that very morning they heard
reports from some of the women, as well as Peter and John, that His
body was missing from the tomb. What’s more, the burial cloth was
neatly rolled up in the tomb, and the women informed the disciples
that they saw “a vision of angels who announced that he was alive.”
The two did not know what to think.
As the story unfolds, Jesus appeared to them as they walked and
conversed with them, “but their eyes were prevented from
recognizing him.” Jesus’ hidden presence teaches us that He is
often with us, in our midst, yet we do not recognize Him.
Distractions, trials, or our own misconceptions can dull our
spiritual senses. We often fail to perceive His presence in the
Eucharist, the Scriptures, the Church, during our prayer, and in
one another.
Jesus’ loving rebuke of these two disciples was intended to wake
them up: “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all
that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ
should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Every time we
stumble from spiritual blindness, which leads to confusion, our
Lord lovingly says the same to us. We must take that rebuke with
humility, acknowledging our blindness and inability to perceive His
constant presence.
Jesus then “interpreted to them what referred to him in all the
Scriptures.” This opening of their minds to the spiritual Gift of
Understanding is key. By humbly acknowledging our spiritual
blindness and the foolish way we often go about our daily lives, we
dispose ourselves to this precious gift. The Gift of Understanding
cannot be acquired by our own effort. Only after we honestly humble
ourselves before God will He open our minds to all we need to know
and understand.
Once they arrived in Emmaus and invited this divine Stranger to
stay with them for the night, Jesus agreed. As they dined, “while
he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke
it, and gave it to them.” The Lord Himself, the great High Priest,
gave them the Eucharist, and suddenly “their eyes were opened and
they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight.”
Though our Lord vanished from their sight, He remained with them,
as He does with us today. His presence in the Eucharist is His True
Presence, His Divine Essence. By revealing Himself in the
Scriptures and the Breaking of the Bread, He teaches us that He is
always with us in His Word and in the Sacraments. We consume His
Word through daily meditation, study, and the teachings of the
Church. His True Presence is with us when we attend Mass and
participate in the Sacraments.
Reflect today on the initial confusion of these two disciples,
filled with sorrow and bewilderment as they grappled with recent
events. Contrast this with the growth in faith they likely
experienced in the months and years ahead. Little by little, they
grew in understanding and belief, allowing their misconceptions
about who the Messiah would be—not a political leader, but the
Savior of the World—to be dispelled. Whenever you face confusion,
turn to the example of these disciples and learn from the lessons
taught through them. Seek Christ in His Word and Sacraments,
trusting that He will dispel doubts and guide you to greater
faith.
Ever-present Lord, please humble me so that I turn more fully to
You, hearing Your voice and recognizing Your presence. When I am
confused or uncertain, please intervene and open my mind to You and
to Your Truth so that I will believe with all my heart and follow
wherever You lead. Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: Christ on the Road to Emmaus
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