Luke tells us about two disciples who had lost hope, walking home to Emmaus disappointed and grieving over what had happened. It was a long journey roughly seven miles, about a 4-hour walk. As disciples of Jesus they had heard His message repeatedly, speaking about the love of the Father. They had heard Him speak about the love we need to extend to others. Life would be so beautiful; the world would be so wonderful if people would only love each other, especially those who need the love and compassion of others. Cleopas and his companion had likely witnessed His many deeds and miracles. Perhaps they were present when Jesus fed thousands with a few loaves of bread. They were convinced that Jesus was the Messiah.
But then everything fell apart. Jesus was arrested the Thursday before. He was treated horribly that night and then the next day, scourged and crucified. The disciples were certain that this would not happen to the Messiah. They were in shock. They had loved this Jesus, and now He was dead. That day, they heard that Jesus was not in the tomb. Yet they saw no reason to stay in town and they headed home.
As they walked, hashing over what had happened, a total stranger walks up to them and interrupts their conversation. “What are you guys talking about?” Don’t you pretty much ask the same question when you are trying to be included in someone else’s conversation? Then once you get the gist of their topic, you add your two cents worth, which Jesus did.
After sharing their dismay over what had happened, one said, “We were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel.” Jesus at first reprimanded them for being downcast. “How foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Jesus then used the opportunity for however many more miles they walked to get in a few more lessons.
Keep in mind that the disciples still didn’t fully understand all of the Good News that Jesus had been sharing with them. They had envisioned an earthly messiah who would liberate them from the oppressive Romans. Little did they realize that this Messiah came to liberate them from much more than that and like them, we too can be foolish and slow of heart to fully believe and grasp the Good News of Jesus Christ.
With added lessons Jesus slowly got these two travelers to realize that their hope was not futile. He indeed came to redeem Israel but in a manner they hadn’t imagined until that moment when they recognized him in the breaking of bread.
The experience of these two disciples reflects our own. At first, I thought it somewhat odd that they were walking away from Jerusalem but then I wonder how often might we have done the same, walking away from God or the Church when we have been disappointed or disillusioned.
I have known people who have left the Church, perhaps let down by the scandalous conduct of a priest or blaming God for some misfortune in their lives, like the untimely death of a loved one, which many have sadly experienced in the midst of this pandemic. Others change to a different faith, drawn perhaps by a friend who has done the same thing. Over the years I have heard a litany of reasons why the second largest religion in our country is the fallen away Catholic.
What they leave behind is the opportunity to do what we Catholics have done since that first Sunday in Emmaus, namely recognize Jesus in the breaking of bread.
If asked why they left, some lament that they got nothing out of receiving communion. Perhaps they only saw the host as a piece of bread. What might they believe if they had taken the time to better understand our faith? Many adult Catholics rarely study the catechism of our Church or even take time to read scripture. Once they were confirmed, did they feel that they knew all that they needed to know?
Could Jesus accuse some of us of being slow of heart in believing all that he has told us through the prophets and the apostles? If, for example, the celebration of the Mass has little appeal to you, consider this; have you invited the Lord to stay with you? Had those two disciples not invited Jesus to stay with them, he would have ventured on his way and they would have remained blind to all that had happened.
The same is true for us. For Jesus to become real, we must first open the door of our being to him, and that calls for faith and hospitality. Make time for him. Go to your room and pray daily. Pick up the Bible and meditate on the readings of the day. Let Jesus speak to you so that you too can recognize him. During this pandemic, when we can’t gather as a faith community, we can ill afford to walk away from God. You can still view the Mass in numerous ways on TV and the Internet. Just as children are being schooled via the Internet, you can deepen your relationship with Christ through apps such as FORMED, which offers a gold mine of many lessons for better knowing Jesus and our Catholic faith.
In this trying time, don’t lose hope for Jesus is here walking with us, soothing us with his Word. Our hearts will burn within us when we invite Jesus to stay with us, so that he can have the chance to open our eyes to his awesome love.