By Fr. Marcel Uzoigwe, CSSp.
(1st reading Acts 2:14, 22-33; Psalm 16; 2nd reading 1 Pt 1:17-21; Gospel Lk 24:13-35)
Dear brothers and sisters,
Today’s readings offer a message of hope in the midst of our confused world and difficult circumstances. It is sometimes surprising how quickly we slip into despair when things go wrong and our expectations don’t come true. This is part of human nature, but it keeps us trapped in our own way of thinking, preventing us from seeing things in a new and more enlightening way. Such was the case with the two disciples of Jesus, about whom we read in today’s Gospel. They were totally distraught after Jesus’ crucifixion and could not make sense of the story being told among their peers that Jesus had risen from the dead. That inability led them to leave the city of Jerusalem and make their way to a village called Emmaus.
The disciples had pinned all their hopes on Jesus, whom, after all, they considered their Messiah. Given the concept of the Messiah in those days, he would deliver them (the Jews) from the oppressive Roman occupiers. No wonder they once asked Jesus when He would restore the Kingdom to Israel (Acts 1:6). For this project they risked everything. What would happen to this project now that their Messiah had been crucified as a common criminal? With its collapse, the disciples’ lives were in danger, as both the Jewish leaders and the Roman rulers would surely come after them. Gradually the reading leads us to the source of human grief, which we can identify in one way or another. When we lose someone who has occupied a central place in our lives, a wife, husband, son or daughter, beloved friend, brother or sister; when the business we have built up during our lifetime collapses and with it our career comes to an end; when the foundation of our hope, our confidence turns into disappointment, how do we feel and react? All this comes close to the experience of the two disciples. We can mentally put ourselves in their situation and try to understand how that feels.
Therefore, the disciples left Jerusalem where they were and headed for Emmaus. Jerusalem is often referred to as the city of God, representing all that is good and divine. It is the seat of civilization for the Jews and the center of their theocracy. The temple of their pride, a symbol of God’s presence among them, is in Jerusalem, while Emmaus is a small village of no significance. What sorrow would cause these disciples to retreat from Jerusalem to Emmaus? It was indeed hard for them, but Jesus did not abandon them. He went with them as an unknown stranger.
The reading gives us some qualities that enabled the disciples to make some progress in their situation. They are described as open and welcoming. Although they did not know the stranger, they allowed him in and were willing to share their frustrations with him. Being hospitable is a great virtue that opens doors. The world has become so bad that everyone is suspicious of strangers and strange ideas, but without opening up, a person cannot improve himself. It is in sharing that we get to know the stranger, gain access to his or her world, and stop being strangers to each other. Imagine the opportunity that simple events, like sharing coffee or meals, can provide to engage in conversation with a fellow human being. Imagine the depth to which such conversations can lead, and the friendship that can result. It is said that by being hospitable, some welcomed angels (Acts 13:2).
As Jesus set out with them and listened to their frustrations, he began to explain the scriptures to them. This allowed them to understand what was written about the Messiah. Without recognizing Him, they took Him home because it was already late and thus unsafe for the stranger. As they shared their meal with Him, Jesus broke the bread and revealed Himself to them. Now their eyes opened and they recognized Him, but He disappeared from their sight, and with that, their doubts also disappeared, and their frustrations turned into joy. The same disciples who took Jesus in, because it was already dark outside, got up and returned to Jerusalem that very night. Their fears disappeared and courage took over. This is what also happens to us when we recognize the presence of Jesus among us. Jesus who brings us together, breaks and shares bread, and gives us the cup to drink every time we celebrate the Eucharist.
When life hurts us and we tend to turn our backs on God’s plan or turn to our “Emmaus,” it is time to open ourselves to the risen Lord. He is not dead, but alive, and He accompanies us, even in difficulties. We will see Him at the breaking of bread and we will experience the power of His resurrection.
Peter took time in the first reading to explain to the people that Jesus would not be left to the power of death. He is life itself and therefore overcomes death. He rises from the dead. That act of his rising from the dead has become the basis of life for all who believe in him, all who entrust their lives to him. By his death on the cross, he paid the price for our debts, and by rising from the dead he has given us a new birth as children of God (see second reading). Therefore Jesus promised that whoever lives and believes in him will not die for eternity (John 11:26 ).
The resurrection of Jesus and his self-revelation, as described in these two readings (1st reading and the Gospel), are great sources of hope and inspiration. Resurrection is not just something that happens at the end of our human experience. We are children of resurrection every day. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we have been given the strength to overcome our grief and pain, sorrow, and disappointments. We are assured that Jesus is with us all the way on our life journey, even when we do not recognize him. He is the stranger who intervenes to support us, enlighten us, and show us the way. Let’s, therefore, entrust our life with all its ups and downs to him knowing that the power that raised him from the dead works in us.
(Photo credit: Simon Berger)