One of these days, I want to get back to the Holy Land, which I visited over 40 years go. While I then visited Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, the Seas of Galilee, and other places, I never got to Emmaus. This weekend we all go to Emmaus to hear the familiar story of the two disciples of Jesus walking from Jerusalem (Lk 24:13-35). Now it doesn’t come right out and say so, but they were discouraged and despairing over the death of Jesus. You know that because Emmaus is 7 miles west of Jerusalem toward the setting sun. And a Christian is someone traveling east to the rising sun symbolic of the risen Jesus because of his/her joy in the Lord’s victory over sin and death and his/her hope in the future.
It was indeed fortunate that Jesus came along to show from the scriptures that his death was all part of God’s plan over the centuries but not the final chapter. It lifted some of the haze around their minds until the breaking of the bread opened their eyes to recognize Jesus. It’s what Mass is supposed to do for us. The Liturgy of the Word (the scriptures) helps us to understand God’s plan and our way of personally incorporating it into our lives. Then the Liturgy of the Eucharist not only helps us recognize his presence under the appearance of bread and wine, but also unites us to Him.
The experience of those two disciples energized them to share their experience with others. May it open our hearts and energize us when we again gather at St. Jane’s for the “breaking of the bread,” the Mass, so that we too can reach out to others.
Fr. Carl
