The
Road to Emmaus Today
by Fr.
Gregory-David Jones, O.S.B.
After the burial of Jesus, two of the disciples’ eyes “were
prevented” from seeing him as he walked toward them on their
way to Emmaus. Additionally, their ears must have also
been “prevented” from recognizing his voice as he explained
that the ancient prophesies about the Messiah were
fulfilled. So they heard the Lord’s voice, looked at
him, but somehow did not realize that it was Jesus right in
front of them.
However, Cleopas and the other
disciple felt something “burn” within themselves when they
listened to his words (not simply by hearing his
voice). It may seem strange that the disciples’ senses
failed them, but there is a profound reality that this story
highlights. It was in the breaking of the bread that
the Lord’s presence was revealed. It was through an
action that the Lord performed before his death on the Cross
that the disciples’ eyes were “opened” to the reality after
the Resurrection that, yes, Jesus had truly risen and he was
in their presence right then and there.
Cleopas and the other disciple, not
being among the “eleven” apostles, can be looked upon as
representing us, the modern Church. Like them, Jesus
is present to us in way that is not easily discernable by
the senses, but revealed to us through faith. Jesus is
truly present in the proclamation of the Word, and in a most
profound way he is present to us in the Breaking of the
Bread.
During this time, when most are
unable to participate in the Mass because of the public
health restrictions due to the Coronavirus, this situation
can be looked upon as a time of pilgrimage, rather than a
period of darkness. Our “road to Emmaus”, like the two
disciples’ is a journey toward experiencing and celebrating
the real presence of the risen Lord. Our prayerful
attentiveness on that road is what can make the destination
all the more meaningful… in a very real way!
