As the risen Christ encountered the two disciples of Emmaus, may he accompany you on your life’s journey, nourishing you with his word in the Scriptures and with his graces in the Eucharist- Happy Sunday! +John I. Okoye.
DOCTRINE AND FAITH
(Acts of the Apostles 2, 14. 22-33; 1 Peter 1, 17-21; Luke 24, 13-35: 3rd Sunday of Easter: Year A, 2017)
The gospel reading of this third Sunday of Easter presents to us the episode of the two disciples of Emmaus. This episode of Jesus’ apparition to the two disciples of Emmaus can help all the disciples of Christ (Christians) of all times to recognize the presence of the risen Lord. The two disciples were sad, disappointed and completely deluded. In their desperation they were moving away from their community. They were discussing what recently happened in Jerusalem that did not meet their expectation. They were hoping that Jesus who was crucified was to be the one who would redeem the Jewish people from the occupation of the Romans. As they continued their journey, Jesus approached them and in the course of his encounter with them revealed to them whom he was. At first, they did not recognize Jesus. However, they were eager to describe the events of the past few days and to admit that they had hoped that Jesus would have met their messianic expectations. At a time when those close to Jesus seem to have withdrawn in fear for their own safety, these disciples were telling a perfect stranger that they had believed in Jesus. Jesus started to explain that it was necessary that Christ should suffer in order to redeem mankind. As Jesus interpreted the Scriptures to show that they had really pointed to him, they were innerly moved. Their religious tradition was being interpreted to them in a new and revelatory way. At the same time, Jesus was showing how his death and resurrection were truly in accord with those Scriptures. Finally, it was in the breaking of the bread that the eyes of the disciples of Emmaus were opened and they recognized him.
The evangelist Luke wishes, through this episode to help all Christians of all times, and of course ourselves, to recognize and appreciate the presence of the risen Lord in their lives and to assure that the Lord accompanies them effectively. To effect this in their lives the disciple/Christian has to do the following things. The first is to study the Sacred Scriptures: Indeed it was only when the mysterious companion explained to the two disciples the meaning of the Scriptures about him that they were touched to the heart and were able to regain their confidence. The Sacred Scriptures contains all that lead to salvation as willed by God. In them are the plan and design of God, as announced by the prophets, that Jesus was to enter into his glory through suffering. In the Sacred Scriptures we discover Christ and we feel his nearness and presence as our companion in our journey in life and through them we discover ourselves, our origin, destination and the path we have to thread in this life. Unfortunately, we ourselves sometimes merit the rebuke of Jesus: O foolish and slow of heart to believe in the Scriptures. Another way of recognizing the presence of Christ is in the breaking of bread. The two disciples of Emmaus recognized Jesus at the braking of bread. The breaking of bread is the familiar way of referring to the Eucharist. Therefore, in the prayerful study of, or listening, to the Sacred Scriptures or in the celebration of the Eucharist, we can relive the experience of the two disciples of Emmaus: overcoming fear, anguish, doubt and restlessness. We shall also reaffirm the firmness of our faith and make oneself an apostle, a missionary and a witness to the resurrection of Christ. In the Eucharist, Jesus donates to us his risen life. The evangelist Luke also obliquely indicates another way of making the presence of the risen Lord active. By inviting the unidentified and mysterious companion into their house to share their accommodation and meal, the two disciples of Emmaus offered the opportunity and occasion for the risen Lord’s self revelation. The risen Christ reveals his presence only where fraternal communion is manifestly lived out. The risen Christ is present and reveals himself to us when and in the measure we put fraternal love into practice, when we give attention to the needy brother or sister. In that case, it will no longer be he alone who reveals himself to us but also we will be in good disposition and position to reveal him to the world as the risen Lord and the one who continues to work with his Spirit in our hearts. Happy Sunday! +John I. Okoye
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