Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
These two disciples, one named Cleopas, are going in the wrong direction. Jerusalem was known as the city of God’s dwelling, and they are moving away from it. They are disenchanted and confused. The one they had considered a “prophet mighty in deed and word” had been killed. It appeared that Jesus was not the one they had hoped for.
However, Jesus will never let us continue in the wrong direction, without at least attempting to redirect us back to God. So Jesus, in the disguise of his resurrected and glorified body, began to accompany these two gentlemen on their way to Emmaus. He walked with them and gained their trust.
Along the way, Jesus began to open up the words of the prophets of the Old Testament scriptures who had spoken of a future servant who would suffer and find glory.
Then they invited him to stay for dinner where Jesus “took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them.”
It was with that they recognized him. It was Jesus explaining the scriptures and celebrating that early Eucharist in the breaking of the bread with them.
The two men went back to Jerusalem where they told of Jesus, risen from the dead. In a highly symbolic way, they had returned to God’s presence. All had been made right because Jesus had come to them to take them back to God.
We should know that Jesus accompanies us along the way. If we travel away from God’s presence, Jesus does all he can to turn us back to God. He speaks to us from the scriptures and he breaks the bread of the Holy Mass for us. He is with us. He is risen indeed.
Should our hearts not burn within us when Jesus comes to meet us, just as they burned in the men who had encountered Jesus along the way?
Have a blessed week everyone.