＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Acts 3:1-10

 

Ps 105:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8-9

Rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Luke 24:13-35*

Two followers of Jesus

 

Were going to Emmaus, a village seven miles from Jeru­salem, and they talked about had  hap­pened.   While they were talking and arguing about what had happened, Jesus came up and walked with them, but their eyes were not able to recognize him.

 He asked, “What is this you are talking about?” The two stood still, looking sad.  Then one named Cleo­phas answered, “Why, it seems you are the only traveler to Jerusalem who doesn’t know what has happened there these past­ few days.”   And he asked, “What is it?”

They replied, “It is about Jesus of Nazareth. He was a prophet, you know, mighty in word and deed before God and the people.   But the chief priests and our rulers sentenced him to death. They handed him over to be crucified.  We had hoped that he would redeem Israel.

It is now the third day since all this took place.  It is also true that some women of our group have disturbed us. When they went to the tomb at dawn,   they did not find his body; and they came and told us that they had had a vision of angels who said    that Jesus was alive. (….)

He said to them, “How dull you are, how slow of understanding! is the message the prophets too difficult for you to understand?  Is it not written that the Christ should suffer all this, and then enter his glory?”(……)   

 As they drew near the village they were heading for, Jesus made as if to go farther.   But they prevailed upon him, “Stay with us, for night comes quickly. The day is now almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.   When they were at table, he took the bread, said a blessing, broke it and gave each a piece.

Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; but he vanished out of their sight. And they said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us when he was talking to us on the road and explaining the Scriptures?”

 They immediately set out and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and their companions gathered together.  They were greeted by these words: “Yes, it is true, the Lord is risen! He has appeared to Simon!”   Then the two told what had happened on the road and how Jesus made himself known when he broke bread with them.

 

Gospel Reflection：

After the resurrection, Jesus is busy scattered disciples. In this instance, two of them are walking far away from Jerusalem. They are on the way to Emmaus. We do not know the reasons for their journey. Are they fleeing?

Do they have a mission to do in Emmaus in behalf of their group? We can only speculate. But what is amazing is that Jesus walks with them. First He was an anonymous stranger. Then He teaches them everything from scriptures (Old Testament)

Regarding the Messiah. From the words of their holy book their understanding slowly progresses. It is during the breaking of the bread that they fully know the mysterious stranger as their Lord and Master. The Word and the Bread. They form a unity that enables us to understand who Jesus is in a deeper way.