Luke 24:13–35
Now on that same day two of them were going
to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with
each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking
and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were
kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What are you discussing
with each other while you walk along?" They stood still, looking sad. Then
one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only
stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there
in these days?" He asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The
things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word
before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him
over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was
the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day
since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us.
They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body
there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels
who said that he was alive. 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." Then he
said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe
all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah
should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?" Then beginning
with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about
himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were
going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly,
saying, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now
nearly over." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table
with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their
eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.
They said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he
was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?"
That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven
and their companions gathered together. They were saying, "The Lord has
risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had
happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of
the bread."
Reflection
Can I sense that Jesus has never really
vanished?
When I go to Mass, do I experience that every
altar is Emmaus, the place of this story?