Walking The Road to Emmaus

The two men  were walking to Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.  Along the way they were talking about what had happened, how very disappointed  and sad they were that Jesus had been put to death. they were sure that Jesus was Messiah, the one that they had been waiting for to save Israel from the oppressive grip of the Romans. He had performed signs and wonders that were completely beyond explaining. It appeared that he had the hand of God upon him. Yet the chief priest and the temple staff delivered him over to the Romans and they had scourged, mocked, and finally crucified him.  They thought and talked and walked and were no closer to a satisfactory answer when suddenly a stranger joined them and he asked them what they were talking about as they journeyed.  They looked at the stranger in surprise and asked him if he was the only one in the area that did not know what had happened these last three days. Of course it was Jesus that they were speaking to but they were prevented from recognizing him.  He began to walk with them and as they walked he revealed to them the whole story and every verse in the Bible that referred to Him.  The men were pleased that they had struck up a conversation with this stranger.  They had now arrived at their destination.  The stranger made as if he were going to continue the journey. But they invited him in because it was getting late and they wished to offer him hospitality.  They reclined at table and the bread was broken and their eyes were opened. They had been speaking to Jesus!  Jesus handed them bread and He disappeared from their sight. 

The two looked in their hands and realized what had happened. Jesus had disappeared from their sight because He was still there, in the bread and wine consecrated by Jesus Himself.  They trembled as they ate His Body and drank His Blood. 

We too often walk the road to Emmaus.  We do not always understand where the road we are on will take us.  We have to tread with confidence because it is the road Jesus has put us on and in the end it will lead to Him.  We must keep our eyes on our destination, even if right now we are unclear as to where the road will lead us.  We must sustain ourselves on the journey by feeding on the Word of God by reading His story in the Bible and by frequently receiving Him in the Eucharist.  

The wonderful thing about the road we are on is that if we approach it with faith the destination will be an eternity with Jesus in heaven. 

God bless you on this Divine Mercy Sunday,