The Gospel for Today - 3rd Sunday of Easter, May 8, 2011

Jesus Walks the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)

24:13 Now that very day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.

24:14 They were talking to each other about all the things that had happened.

24:15 While they were talking and debating these things, Jesus himself approached and began to accompany them

24:16 (but their eyes were kept from recognizing him).

24:17 Then he said to them, “What are these matters you are discussing so intently as you walk along?” And they stood still, looking sad.

24:18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that have happened there in these days?”

24:19 He said to them, “What things?” “The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied, “a man who, with his powerful deeds and words, proved to be a prophet before God and all the people;

24:20 and how our chief priests and rulers handed him over to be condemned to death, and crucified him.

24:21 But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. Not only this, but it is now the third day since these things happened.

24:22 Furthermore, some women of our group amazed us. They were at the tomb early this morning,

24:23 and when they did not find his body, they came back and said they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.

24:24 Then some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see him.”

24:25 So he said to them, “You foolish people – how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!

24:26 Wasn’t it necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and enter into his glory?”

24:27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things written about himself in all the scriptures.

24:28 So they approached the village where they were going. He acted as though he wanted to go farther,

24:29 but they urged him, “Stay with us, because it is getting toward evening and the day is almost done.” So he went in to stay with them.

24:30 When he had taken his place at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.

24:31 At this point their eyes were opened and they recognized him. Then he vanished out of their sight.

24:32 They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us while he was speaking with us on the road, while he was explaining the scriptures to us?”

24:33 So they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem. They found the eleven and those with them gathered together

24:34 and saying, “The Lord has really risen, and has appeared to Simon!”

24:35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how they recognized him when he broke the bread.

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Reflection

• How many times have we been speaking, preaching and discussing things about Jesus but not able to recognize him, understand him and see him?
• Have we seen Jesus in the face of a stranger?
• Have we felt Jesus to an unknown visitor?