Emmaus

Emmaus

The story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus takes place on the first day of the week; on a Sunday.  

The two disciples, instead of being with the Body of Christ, the Church, and witnesses of the Resurrection, in Jerusalem, they were walking away. 

They were heading towards Emmaus.

St Luke describes their facial expression.  They were "looking downcast".  

Even though Mary Magdalene, Peter and John witness to them about the Empty Tomb, regardless, the two disciples still did not believe.  

When faced with difficulties, one could experience what the two disciples experience.  It is the experience of "looking downcast."

Because for the two Emmaus disciples, Christ was not the Messiah they were hoping for.  He was not the one that they wanted.   They said to the Risen Jesus: "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."

Despite their loss of hope, looking downcast, The Lord accompanies them on the road to Emmaus.  He walks with them and explains the salvation story from the beginning; with the Covenant, with Moses and the prophets.  The fulfillment of the covenant is through the necessity of the cross.  

But their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.  That is until the breaking of the bread, the Holy Eucharist.  

"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."

When feeling downcast, one can find consolation, hope and insight with the risen Jesus in the Eucharist.  Amen.