Gospel
LK 24:13-35
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. He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his Body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “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?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 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?” So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Reflection:
Why would Jesus allow the two disciples not to be able to recognize Him until the breaking of the bread? Did the disciples truly believe? Do we truly believe in the teachings of Christ? Today, our family had a lot of questions.
After reading this Gospel passage, my husband asked if these two disciples were really "true" disciples, because they described Jesus as a prophet and not as the Messiah. “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word…”. We also noticed that it said, “But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel;…”. It was as if the disciples were giving up… they lost hope. They were suffering… and then Jesus comes to help them and says, ““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?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures.”
It is so beautiful to see the faith of the disciples being strengthened as we read this Gospel passage. And so much LOVE as Jesus takes the time to teach them, again, about the Old Testament Prophets and how they pertain to what He had to go through.
My youngest daughter, said that what stood out the most to her in the Gospel was the fact that the disciples were prevented from recognizing Jesus. She asked, “Were the disciples prevented from recognizing Him because Jesus didn’t want them to recognize Him, or was it because they just didn’t believe, therefore they couldn't see until they believed. She also said she thinks Jesus did it like this, because He wanted us to see ourselves in the disciples and how we can walk with Jesus as well, as we read the Scriptures, and not recognize Jesus teaching us.”
We were in awe to say the least, as our family discussed this Gospel. Could you imagine being able to walk with Jesus and actually be taught by Him? We discussed that there have been times when we have actually felt like we were taught by Jesus himself, through our priests. We have had some wonderful priests who were so "on fire" for the Word of God that they brought the Scripture to life.
Have you ever experienced this? Here is your chance to be a disciple, please leave a comment below and let others see how the Gospel message has touched your life. Maybe a priest really helped you to understand the Word of God. Let others who visit this page see your comments and grow from your experiences.
Let us pray for our priests to be "on fire" for the word of God and to have the patience of Christ, to teach the same message over and over again.
Christos Anésti!
