Today’s Scripture Readings

Gospel Reading

NRSV

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.

Have you ever had one of those “Road to Emmaus” experiences? Not the one where the two disciples recognise Jesus but rather the times we do not experience or recognise Jesus in our daily lives. I find it interesting that it was not while Jesus expounded on the scriptures that they recognised him but in the ordinary action of sharing a meal together. Maybe we have become accustomed to experiencing Jesus only in those spiritual moments, like attending Mass or our daily personal prayer, that we become blind to the fact that his presence is all around us in activities that fill our lives. If we had open eyes and minds and hearts we might be pleasantly overwhelmed by the wonderful presence of the one who loves us unconditionally.

I like to swim in the mornings and as I feel the rush of the water around me and the touch of the sun on my face, I know I am experiencing a “God” moment. Any of you who love gardening might experience God’s presence in the simple act of planting a seedling or smelling the fragrance of the rose. Or, like me, when life is a bit of a struggle and the worries of life get on top of you, Jesus’ presence is still there, even more strongly than at other times for we are certain that he will never abandon us. I gain strength from the quote in the Book of Job “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:21 )

How can you be more aware of Jesus’ presence today?