Reflection - Third Sunday of Easter - Coming to faith

Supper at Emmaus National Gallery, London. 1602-3 Caravaggio

Supper at Emmaus National Gallery, London. 1602-3 Caravaggio

This week the gospel from St Luke has one of the best short stories written in the New Testament. The story is a post-resurrection account of Jesus meeting two disciples on the road to the village of Emmaus and their coming to believe in Jesus as risen and alive.

A couple of days after the crucifixion of Jesus, Cleopas and his unidentified companion left Jerusalem for the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. They left other disciples huddled in a room for fear that the authorities might kill them also. Perhaps they thought it was wise to get some distance between Jerusalem and themselves.

Obviously they were talking about the events in Jerusalem - Jesus greeted enthusiastically by a crowd, his betrayal by one of his inner band of disciples, the disciples scattering when Jesus is arrested, then the torture and death of Jesus.

Jesus joins them on the journey but they do not recognize him perhaps because they did not expect to see him on the road but in the tomb. He commented on their downcast demeanour and they poured out their disappointment to him about Jesus whom they had hoped would restore the fortunes of Israel. Even the messiah but the dream was over because he was dead.

They told Jesus of the rumour that the women found the tomb empty and no sign of him. But some said he was alive.

The story changes character now because the unknown person explains what we might call ‘salvation history’ to the disciples, how there was a plan enacted including the prophets playing their part, responding to God’s call even as long ago as Moses. He was

frustrated with them as he was often in the past, they never seemed to understand what he was trying to tell them.

Since it was evening they decided to stay in Emmaus and invited Jesus to stay with them. He decided to do this and not go on further. They had a meal together and the gospel at which Jesus took the bread, said the blessing and broke the bread and gave it to them.

Up until now they had not recognised Jesus but now they recognised him in the action of breaking the bread. Inexplicably he vanished from their sight.

The disciple retraced their journey to Jerusalem and found the disciples. There they recounted their story of what happened on the road to Emmaus and in the village. They heard in return that Jesus had appeared to Simon.

For many centuries we have recognised Jesus in the breaking of the bread. This tradition has been handed on to us. It is central to our faith and is a statement from the Emmaus story which brings us to faith, enables us to believe in the risen Lord.

Also, the disciples spoke about how his words made their hearts burn within them because his words had power to move and enlighten them. We hear more about the power of God at Pentecost in a few weeks time.

Columban Fr Gary Walker is currently living at the Columban house in Sandgate, Brisbane.

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