SEEING AND EXPERIENCING JESUS
Much has already been said about this wonderful story of two disciples meeting Jesus on the way to Emmaus. Some very insightful reflections connect the importance of the event with the Sacramental meal that Jesus shared with His disciples as He gave them His mandate to “do this in memory of me” (Luke 22:19).
The very gestures that Jesus executed on the road to and in Emmaus were reminiscent of the very actions He did during that meal when He “took the bread, blessed the bread, broke the bread, and gave them to His disciples.” The long discussion on the way from Jerusalem to Emmaus focused on how the Scriptures spoke about the Messiah. Jesus explained to the two disciples how the things that happened in Jerusalem have already been pronounced by the prophets of old. Now this “study” of the Scriptures has a clear reference to the very ritual that Jews perform as they partake of the Passover meal, or the Liturgy of the Word for us who celebrate the Eucharist in the same manner. The connection is thus clearly outlined in these. The two main occurrences in that story (the study of the Word and the breaking of the Bread) prefigure the Sacrament of the Eucharist with the two liturgies that are celebrated in the Mass — the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Jesus “broke” the Word to the two disciples to enlighten them about everything that has already been written about Him. And because of this, Jesus was revealed. The broken Word revealed Jesus to the two disciples.
The bread that Jesus “broke” made the two disciples see Him as He really is. It was clear that the two disciples were familiar with the ritual. They have been doing it with the rest of their fellow believers. And so seeing those familiar gestures, their eyes were opened, and the broken bread revealed Jesus to them. Fr. Sandy V. Enhaynes
REFLECTION QUESTION: Have there been times when you failed to see Jesus’ hands at work in your life?
Lord Jesus, thank You for the Eucharist, which reminds us of Your eternal sacrifice for our salvation. Thank You for Your Word, which tells us of Your great love for us.
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