Now that very day two of them were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, "What are you discussing as you walk along?" They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?" And he replied to them, "What sort of things?" They said to him, "The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see." And he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer 8 these things and enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning (within us) while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?" So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them who were saying, "The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!" Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Introductory Prayer: Jesus, I cant help but envy those who knew you personally, in the flesh, before and after your Resurrection. But then you tell me, blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. And I see so many people who live by that faith, and I admire them. I renew now my own faith: you are the Son of God; you suffered, died and rose again to redeem me from my sins; you are alive.

Petition: Lord Jesus, increase my faith, my hope and my love so that you will live in me, and I can truly be your disciple; allow me to experience a passionate love for you.

1. They stopped, looking downcast. When things seemed worst was precisely the moment Christ chose to turn them around. It is only when we realize how little we are that Jesus can come and show us who he is. Setbacks and disappointment would now become gateways to joy, our own little participation in Gethsemane and Calvary. From now on that is the pattern for anyone who wants to follow Christ, there must be darkness in order to find the light that Christ brings, there must be crosses if we are to rise with him. Christ has changed forever the face of sorrow and suffering, and only in him do we have true hope. Christ delays in his revealing himself to them, so he will do the same with us, but for a very special reason the quick revelation we look for appeals more to our senses and emotions than to our mind and will, but Christ is much more interested in a knowledge of him that is based on faith, on his word. 

2. He taught them... Stay with us. The truth and fullness of Christs revelation is what makes our hearts burn within us. Sometimes we reduce our relationship with Christ to what we feel in his presence, to some religious experience, but through his actions with the two young men Jesus shows us how important it is for us to increase in the knowledge of our faith. A good spiritual life will always lead us to want to know more, to appreciate more and understand more the gift he has given us, and the reasons for his actions. St Peter tells us we have to be ready to give reasons to those who inquire about our faith. For these young men it was Christ who personally instructed them, for us it is the same Christ, but he does so through his Church. We can trust her to teach in the name of Christ as we study in the Catechism the reality of our faith: what redemption is, who Christ is, Gods plan, what Baptism does in our soul, what grace is, the law of charity, the reality of the Sacraments, etc.  There is a huge ocean for us to delve into, and it is all directly related to how we live our life.

On one occasion, after he explained to the crowds how they had to eat his flesh and drink his blood (Jn 6) , some people walked away because it was a difficult teaching, and then Jesus asked Peter if he also wanted to leave, but he answered, to whom can we go, you have the words of eternal life.  Here, Jesus also has a difficult teaching for these two young men, he was explaining why the Christ had to die, he was changing their attitude toward difficulty, the cross and suffering. He was preparing them to give their lives too. Instead of turning them off, he set their hearts ablaze. Stay with us! Just like Peter.  

3. So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem. Christ vanished as soon as they realized it was him. Yet they did not return to their downcast look. Something had changed, and that something was faith. Faith sees what our eyes and senses cannot. These young men had a new perspective, Christ was alive whether they saw him or not, and that is such a life-changing reality, it gives such joy and security that they cannot keep it for themselves.   The joy of experiencing Christ through faith is such that it launches these previously despairing disciples into the thick of night to bring the news back to the others.

The authenticity of their faith is seen in their actions. St James told the early Christians that they if they didnt show their faith in their actions it wasnt much of a faith, it was pretty dead actually. Let us think over with Christ what my faith has made me do, or is my life just like those who say they dont believe? Do I have a message? Do I spread it?

Conversation: Lord Jesus, you kept yourself mostly hidden as you spoke to these young men, and you gave them a message that changed them. I want to put myself under your care, I want to listen to you as you instruct me through the Church, I want to grow in knowledge of your plan.

Questionnaire:

1. What is my attitude toward the cross, is it still an enigma for me or is it the greatest revelation of the reality, strength and power of Gods love for me?

2. How well would I say I know my faith? To what a degree have I given depth to my experience of Christ, by learning more about him? How has my learning about God deepened my love and my prayer?

3. Have I ever done anything to spread my faith to others? Is my faith such that I think that those who dont have it are missing out on something real important? What can I do to increase my faith and make it more alive, a greater factor in my life?