The twenty-fourth chapter of the Gospel of St. Luke, beginning with verse thirteen, recounts an event that occurred on the first day of the week following the crucifixion and burial of our Lord. Two of Jesus’ disciples were walking to a village called Emmaus, discussing the recent events that had unfolded—Jesus’ death, His burial, and the strange reports of His resurrection that had begun to circulate. As they journeyed, a stranger approached and began walking with them, but they did not recognise Him. The stranger engaged them in conversation, asking them what they were discussing, and then began to open the Scriptures, showing them how the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus had been foretold by the Prophets. Upon reaching the village, the disciples invited the stranger to stay with them, and during the breaking of bread, their eyes were opened, and they recognised Him. However, He immediately vanished from their sight. In awe and joy, they immediately returned to Jerusalem to share the good news with the other disciples who had gathered there.
This event holds immense significance, as it is one of the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus, further confirming the reality of His resurrection. It offers a deeply significant reflection on the necessity of hope, faith, and the life-changing power of encountering the risen Christ. It also places great emphasis on the recognition of Jesus through the Scriptures and, most crucially, through the breaking of bread—a moment that points directly to the heart of the Holy Eucharist, the central sacrament of the Church. When we reflect on the specifics of this passage, we realise that the two disciples were in a state of profound grief and confusion. They had hoped that Jesus would be the one to redeem Israel, but His brutal death had shattered their expectations. They were left with questions, doubts, and despair. It is in this moment of loss that the “stranger” appeared to them. He offered them something far greater than the answer they had hoped for. Rather than merely providing consolation, He provided understanding. He opened the Scriptures to them, showing how the events they had witnessed were not a tragic end, but part of a divine plan that had been laid out from the very beginning.
In the conversation with the stranger, they were reminded that the suffering and death of the Messiah were not an unfortunate accident, but a necessary fulfilment of God’s will. As it is written in the Scriptures of Israel, the Messiah must suffer and die for the salvation of humanity. Jesus’ resurrection was the completion of that plan, the fulfilment of the promises made by God through the prophets. Their hearts were stirred as they listened to the stranger, yet they still did not recognise Him. This is an important point for us to consider, for it shows that even when Christ is present with us, we may not always recognise Him, especially when we are clouded by grief or confusion. It is not until the breaking of bread that the disciples’ eyes are opened, and they recognise the stranger for who He truly is. This moment of recognition is deeply significant. The breaking of bread is not merely a symbolic gesture—it is a sacramental act that reveals the presence of the risen Christ. This act of breaking bread is a direct precursor to the institution of the Holy Eucharist, which we celebrate today. In the Eucharist, the risen Christ is made present to us, and it is in the reception of His Body and Blood that we encounter Him in the fullest sense.
The disciples’ response to the recognition of Jesus is equally revealing. Their sorrow, which had weighed them down, was transformed into joy and hope. They were no longer disheartened but filled with the excitement and the urgency to share the good news with others. Their encounter with the risen Christ not only brought them joy, but it also impelled them to go forth and proclaim that joy to others. This is a key aspect of the Christian experience—the encounter with Christ must lead to action, to the sharing of the Gospel, to the spreading of His light in the world.
This passage speaks to us on a deeply personal level, reminding us that Jesus is present with us, even when we fail to recognise Him. It challenges us to have faith in God’s plan, especially in times of hardship, confusion, or despair. The two disciples on the road to Emmaus were walking in darkness, both literally and metaphorically, but in the moment they encountered the risen Christ, they were filled with light and hope. Similarly, our journey through life may often seem dark, but the risen Christ is always with us, even when we fail to see Him. We are called to have faith and trust that His presence is real, even when we do not perceive it.
Furthermore, this passage helps us see the life-changing power of encountering the risen Christ, especially in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. Just as the disciples’ hearts were set aflame when they listened to Jesus explain the Scriptures, so too are our hearts set ablaze when we receive Christ in the Eucharist. It is not enough to simply know about Jesus; we must recognise Him in the breaking of the bread and allow that encounter to change us. The Eucharist is not just a remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice; it is a living encounter with the risen Lord.
The biblical account of the disciples on the road to Emmaus offers a rich lesson for all Christians. It teaches us that even in moments of despair and confusion, we are never truly alone. Our Lord Jesus Christ walks with us, and if we open our hearts to Him, He will reveal Himself to us through His Word and through the breaking of bread. It is through this encounter that our hearts are renewed, our faith is deepened, and our lives are transformed. May we always recognise the presence of Christ in our midst, especially in the Eucharist, and may our encounter with Him lead us to share His love and His truth with the world.
As it is written, “Then their eyes were opened, and they recognised him; and he vanished from their sight” (Luke 24:31). Let us open our eyes to see Christ in our lives, and may His presence be the source of our joy and our hope.
May God bless you +
Fr. Charles
23 April 2023
