Today's gospel: The Road to Emmaus
Wednesday 23 April
We meet for Holy Communion today at 10.30am in St Mary's Church Westport (South Mall), followed by coffee in the Clew Bay Hotel. All are invited and welcome.
Jesus and the Two Disciples On the Road to Emmaus
Duccio di Buoninsegna, 1350
Public domain
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3799693
Today's gospel
Luke 24:13-35
Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad.
Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘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.Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.’
Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.
Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’
That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad.
Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘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.Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.’
Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.
Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’
That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Dinner with Jesus
Photo by Robert Cheaib
Pixabay free image
This beautiful account of an early post-resurrection appearance of Jesus to his still-in-mourning disciples, is full of poignancy and purpose, and rich in detail. For these two disciples - possibly a married couple - three specific activities lead to their recognition of the risen Lord.
The first is their conversation with him, this mysterious stranger, on the journey - their talking unburdening their thoughts and hearts and their attentive listening to his responses. The second is their inclination towards hospitality and openness towards him. And the third is their breaking bread with him at the table. (They recognised him in the breaking of the bread.)
All this speaks to us of how we may know the risen Lord today for ourselves - through the conversation with God on offer to us, which is prayer; through opening our hearts to the Lord and inviting him in to our lives daily; and through coming to the Lord's Table and receiving spiritual food and nourishment in the Sacrament of Holy Communion, meeting with the Lord in that special and sacred way, and with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
The story for children
Recommended for the young and the young at heart:
https://youtu.be/K3QkZsKLU2o
Christian Art
Sacred Space
You can find a gentle reflection and devotional guide here:
https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-04-23/
,_placca_d)
Lotharingia (metz), Placca d'avorio con scene a Emmaus, 850-900 circa
Public domain. https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11773222
