Wednesday in the Octave of Easter
“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)
WEDNESDAY, April 20th Lk. 24:13-35 “They urged him, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.’”
Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt lost, alone, abandoned… This story is your story and my story.
THE ROAD TO EMMAUS… by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV
1. GRACE. BEG FOR AN OVERFLOWING JOY!
Why? The Lord Jesus is truly risen from the dead, Alleluia!
2. LET’S TAKE A WALK WITH JESUS!
Try now to imagine the scene. Let your contemplative mode kick into high-gear! It is afternoon on that first Easter day. Two disciples of Jesus are taking a walk away from Jerusalem. What is their mood, you might ask. Well, in Ignatian terms: DESOLATION! Confusion, depression, disorientation, questioning, doubts, darkness, hopelessness, dreams crashed!!!! There we have the state of affairs with these two forlorn individuals. One of the names of these individuals is Cleophas. The other has no name because that anonymous individual is YOU. Yes, you! You are called to be in this scene, on this journey.
3. WHERE ARE THEY GOING???
They are headed towards a small town or hamlet with the name EMMAUS. It is approximately eight miles distant from the city of Jerusalem. Apparently there is a small cottage that they are heading towards. They are leaving Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified just a couple days earlier. They are in much turmoil and confusion about this event! As they walk heading towards their destination, they talk. It is not a conversation that is easy; rather, they seem to be debating and even arguing as they try to make sense about what happened to Jesus that Friday! They cannot seem to make heads or tails about this event and about Jesus who they hoped would be their solution in life!
4. THE GOOD-NATURED STRANGER!
While in this state of desolation, as they walk, talk and argue, a stranger comes out of nowhere and walks with them. He engages them in conversation and asks them what they are talking about. He walks at their pace and is very interested in them—who they are, what they are saying, what they are feeling. They are surprised that he is the only one in Jerusalem who doesn’t know about these events, about what happened to Jesus of Nazareth! As they open up their hearts and express their grief and sorrow, the stranger simply listens. The two are impressed by this stranger! He walks with them, listens very attentively, seems to really know them, care for them, and love them, even though this man is a complete stranger! Have you ever met a stranger like this in your life?
5. THE STRANGER SPEAKS!
After listening to the interior plight of these two, it is the stranger’s turn! He opens his mouth and speaks about these happenings. He takes Scriptures that they have heard before and interprets them related to this “Jesus of Nazareth” and all the events that happened to him. They never heard anybody speak with such clarity before on the topic of Jesus, especially related to his Passion, death, and apparent Resurrection, for some actually claimed that he had come back to life! As this stranger talks, something is happening to the two disciples: their desolation is being transformed into consolation! It is as if a thick and dense cloud is being lifted from their minds and hearts, and they start to feel light and joyful! Life now has meaning again as their confusion dissipates and clarity enlightens their path. Why this change? For the simple reason that this good-natured and intelligent stranger has come to walk with them, listen to their grief, and talk to them in a kind, clear and meaningful way!
Have you ever met a stranger like this? What you like to meet a stranger like this? Would you like to ask this stranger about Jesus and then listen to his conversation and explanation of who Jesus is and what happened to him? This stranger loves you! He wants to walk with you and talk to you in your life right where you are at. He knows you, cares for you, and wants to listen to you always, in any place and at any time. You simply have to invite him and he will come! Surely now you know who this stranger is!
6 ARRIVAL AT EMMAUS AND THE STRANGER!
After this enlightening walk and conversation, the two disciples arrive at their destination, the town of Emmaus and their little house! However, their mood has been transformed; they have gone from desolation to consolation! The reason for this is as clear as the noon-day sun, the arrival of this stranger and their conversation with him—his walk and talk, his gentle demeanor, his ability to listen and respond with great intelligence and insight, his overflowing kindness. In a word, his understanding, compassion and charity have moved them to the very depths of their being! So profound is the transformation in both of them that they do not want to separate from this stranger who has already become their good friend! As they arrive at their destination, the stranger walks on, as if he has an appointment somewhere further down the road. Nonetheless, they will try; they invite him to come into their humble little abode and stay with them. They earnestly long for his fellowship and friendship!
7. STAY WITH US, BECAUSE THE NIGHT IS APPROACHING…
These are the words they address to the stranger! The stranger responds almost as if he were waiting for, better yet, longing for this invitation! He accepts immediately! There is a deep message at this point for you and me and the whole world: FREEDOM AND INVITATION!
FREEDOM! Jesus, being the Son of God, has given us freedom to use and not to abuse. However, He will not force, coerce or violate our freedom; rather, He respects it! God wants to be loved, but love cannot be forced, it has to be given with total freedom. Adam and Eve abused their freedom, and so did the fallen angels, by sinning against God instead of loving God! We too are free! Free to receive and return God’s love, or to reject God’s love by living in a state of sin.
INVITATION! Like in Emmaus, Jesus wants to be invited into your home —in other words, Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart and waiting for a response, waiting for you to listen, to hear, and to open your heart and receive Him; better yet, to warmly welcome Him! The Book of Revelation insists upon this point: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. Whoever opens the door, I will enter and dine with him and he with Me.” (Rev. 3:20) Right now, Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart and He is waiting for your response. What will it be???
8. SITTING AT TABLE.
Now they sit down at table. The stranger (who is Jesus, but they still do not recognize Him) carries out four very important gestures that He actually did just three days earlier. It centers around the one word BREAD! He takes bread, blesses it, breaks it and gives it! These four verbs: take, bless, break, and give are key words in history and will be until the end of the world! These are the same gestures that Jesus did on Holy Thursday at the Last Supper, which was the first Mass, in the Cenacle or Upper Room. That’s right! These gestures with bread occur at every Holy Mass that is offered! Classical Catholic commentaries agree that Jesus was celebrating another Mass for these forlorn disciples.
Indeed, how good God truly is! Once again it is time for us to renew our faith, our love, and our fervent devotion for the most Holy Eucharist! With Saint Thomas we can say: “My Lord and my God!” Or if you like: “O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine!” Be present in awe and adoration at this point, this happening, this great mystery of God’s Presence among us! Emmanuel means “God with us”.
9. EYES OPENED TO SEE AND RECOGNIZE HIM!
Only now are the eyes of the disciples opened to recognize that this stranger is really not a stranger at all, but He is Jesus, their Lord, God, and Savior—THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE! How often, like these disciples, have we been blinded from seeing and recognizing Jesus who is present always, but very clearly in the “Real Presence”—meaning the Eucharist!
Dogmatic Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium from Vatican Council II speaks about the various ways that God makes Himself present, especially in the context of the Liturgy, in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass! These are the specific ways. In the people united for prayer. “Where two or more are gathered in my Name, there I am in their midst.” (Mt. 18:20) In the Word of God. God is present in a very special way in the Gospel proclaimed. It is Jesus who is speaking to us through the Gospel, which means Good News! Jesus is present in the priest who works and officiates as Alter Christus—indeed, as another Christ! Still more, Jesus becomes truly and substantially present in the Consecration at Mass: “This is my Body… This is my Blood… Do this in memory of me.” Then the culminating moment happens when those who are well-disposed receive Jesus in Holy Communion and become thereby living and burning tabernacles of the Lord Most High! Afterwards, Jesus stays with us in the Tabernacle so that we can come to visit Him as His friends!
10. HE DISAPPEARS, BUT STILL REMAINS!!!
This seems to be paradoxical! How can Jesus leave and remain at the same time? A miracle indeed! In Jesus’ Glorified Body He disappears from their midst. Nonetheless, He stays with them in the Eucharistic species—in the consecrated Host. Jesus said: “Behold, I will be with you always even until the end of the world.” (Mt. 28:20)
The joy of these two disciples knows no limits; it is overflowing in torrents! You would think they would be tired after walking eight long miles along a dusty path! Quite the contrary! They are renewed and energized. In a certain sense, they are reborn!
They are completely convinced Jesus truly lives and they will give their lives totally to Him, making Him known throughout the whole world! And they will not wait! They hurry back to Jerusalem to share the Good News of having met the Lord Jesus. As they recount the whole incident, it is apparent something has occurred to them for their hearts are burning within them, like a blazing fire! All of this is related to Jesus’ Presence, His explaining the Word of God to them with great clarity, and finally His Breaking Bread for them.
Jesus wants to enter into dialogue with you too—this is your daily holy hour! So you can walk with Him, talk to Him, listen to Him and love Him throughout your daily life. Also, why not go where Jesus is present in the proclamation of the Word of God, and in the Breaking of Bread to receive Him willingly into the depths of your heart, so that like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, your heart will be set on fire. So you too can set the whole world on fire with love of the Lord Jesus Christ!
May this be our fervent prayer: “STAY WITH US LORD, because night is approaching.”
Copyright 2022 Oblates of the Virgin Mary / St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA
