In today’s Gospel, we hear the Emmaus story. After Jesus died a violent death, his followers were left not knowing what to do. We can imagine that they must have been fluctuating among many emotions: sadness, anger, emptiness, frustration and despair. Then the reports of the empty tomb raised new questions. Many were confused by the recent events and the witness of the two women, Mary Magdalene and another Mary that they had seen Jesus. They wanted to believe, but were unsure of what it all meant.
Two disciples of Jesus were walking away from Jerusalem on the road to Emmaus when a fellow traveler joined them. They told him of all that had happened and invited this apparent stranger to dine with them that evening, all the while failing to recognize that it was Jesus to whom they were talking. It was only when the traveler blessed and broke the bread that their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus but at that point Jesus just disappeared. Suddenly they saw clearly what had been right before them all along. Jesus was clearly alive and well. He had risen and was there among them. These two disciples excitedly ran back at once to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples that they had seen Jesus.
Perhaps this story has also repeated itself in our own experiences. The events of life can get to us, leaving us confused, angry, and despairing. Perhaps, we, like the travelers on the road to Emmaus, have simply failed to see that God is right here with us, always, every step of the way. It is God who will help us to make sense of the journey. Very often, it will be the people who journey with us who will remind us that Jesus is among us. We can remember the words from the Letter to the Hebrews where the author says: “Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.”
The Emmaus story is our story as well. It is a story about Jesus being abundantly present to us even when we are unable to see him. The necessary element for claiming this saving presence is taking the time to reflect on each life situation. Each celebration of the Eucharist provides us with this opportunity. It is in having the Scriptures opened to us and in the breaking of the bread that we find our salvation and the willingness to proclaim to others: Jesus Christ is risen. In the breaking of the bread, in the cup that we share, in the people whom we encounter on the road of life, and in the beauty of creation which surrounds us, we, like the disciples, can come to see clearly that God is with his people.
