THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER 19 04 26
FIRST READING: Acts 2.14, 36-41
NEW TESTAMENT READING: 1 Peter 1.17-23
GOSPEL: Luke 24.13-35
After the crucifixion of Jesus, the disciples were so bewildered. They went into hiding. Most of them came from the northern Galilee. They came to the south with Jesus for the festival, who would have known that this festival will be so tragic. Now not able to return home because they were so afraid. If they can crucify Jesus, what can the mob do to them. It was fear – just all out fear that kept themselves captive and they were there in a house and they have locked the doors.
Today we hear in the Gospel there were two disciples leaving Jerusalem and returning home. They are from a village called Emmaus which is about 11 miles from Jerusalem. They had earlier joined Jesus as he came from Galilea to Jerusalem, people followed singing songs of praise so joyfully. They had found in Jesus the long awaited Messiah who was exceptionally Good to everyone. He went about healing, teaching wonderful truths to the people. They came rejoicing and now they are returning very disappointed and sad.
As the two walked along pouring out their sadness to each other, there was another person walking along. It was the risen Jesus walking with them but they did not recognise Jesus. Jesus asks them why are you so sad and they narrate the sequence of events, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.’
We can understand the situation of Cleopas and the other disciple. We begin something with great joy and hope and what we thought did not happen and the sequence of events are not what we anticipated that can make us very sad and can be a traumatic experience. It is a mixed feeling of disappointment, grief and frustration. It makes one feel very drained and empty.
In their mind, the story is finished and nothing more to expect with the death of Jesus. The sequence of events gradually opened their minds to a new reality.
The Risen Christ walking with them draws their attention to the scripture and explains the scripture.
Later as they reach their village, the disciples invite Jesus to stay with them since it is evening time. Jesus accepts the invitation and stays with them. It was when Jesus whom they thought as a stranger broke bread and shared their eyes were opened and they recognised that it was Jesus who has been with them all along. Then they realise, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’.
This amazing episode opens our hearts to meet the Risen Lord as we read, hear and meditate on the scripture. The word of God opens our eyes to the presence of the Risen Lord Jesus in our midst.
The Holy Eucharist which is celebrated whenever we meet because Jesus had commanded us to do so is where we meet the Risen Lord Jesus. The Eucharist opens our heart and our soul to encounter the Risen Christ amongst us.
In this encounter the whole story changes, the disciples who lost all hope and were so sad became so joyful and they go back to Jerusalem to narrate their experience with the other disciples. Meeting the risen Lord Jesus Christ revived them and their sadness was overcome with joy.