Reflection on Luke 24:13-35

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Sunday, April 26, 2020

Brothers and sisters, today’s Gospel remarkably opens with two dejected disciples of Jesus who left the community in Jerusalem and closes with the two returning to Jerusalem happily. As they made their trip to Jerusalem and talked about all the events that happened, Jesus joined them, although he was unrecognized by them. Although their hearts were burning within them as he explained the Scriptures to them, they still did not recognize him. It was after the taking of bread, saying the blessing, breaking the bread, and giving it to them that they finally recognized them. 

You know, this Gospel reflects the two parts of the Mass: the liturgy of the Word and the liturgy of the Eucharist. Jesus is present in the proclaimed Word, but he is supremely present in the Eucharist. In the Eucharist, the Lord is personally and actively present. The Eucharist is his greatest gift to us, that is why the Church insists that the Eucharist is the sum and summary of our faith; that it is source and summit of the Christian life; that all other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate are bound up with the Eucharist and are orientated toward it. The Eucharist contains the whole spiritual good of the Church— that is, Christ himself. The Eucharist is the greatest possession of the Catholic Church, which other Christian churches do not have. 

Today's Gospel also teaches us that just as Jesus was with the two disciples on their journey to Emmaus, he is also present with us in our journey of life. Through thick and thin, he is present with us. Unfortunately, there are times when we may not see him due to worry, fear, anxiety, and cares of this world. But wether we see him or not, the truth remains that he is present with us. If we engage him in conversation— which we call prayer, he will listen to us, but he will also explain and interpret to our understanding the things that we are yet to understand. 

As the world experiences a pandemic, many believers are confused, fearful and worried. Many ask, “Lord, where are you?” Beloved, I am here to tell you that he is not far away from us. Do not look far away to see him. He is with you. We don’t serve a God who is unconcerned, a God who absconds and runs away to hide. At this heightened time of fear, Jesus is traveling with us just as he traveled with Cleopas and the other disciples. 

Glory be to God!