The Road

And behold, two of them went, the same day, to a town which was sixty furlongs from Jerusalem, named Emmaus. And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
And it came to pass, that while they talked and reasoned with themselves, Jesus himself also drawing near, went with them. But their eyes were held, that they should not know him. And he said to them: What are these discourses that you hold one with another as you walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleophas, answering, said to him: Art thou only a stranger to Jerusalem, and hast not known the things that have been done there in these days?

To whom he said: What things? And they said: Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet, mighty in work and word before God and all the people; And how our chief priests and princes delivered him to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we hoped, that it was he that should have redeemed Israel: and now besides all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Yea and certain women also of our company affrighted us, who before it was light, were at the sepulchre, And not finding his body, came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who say that he is alive. And some of our people went to the sepulchre, and found it so as the women had said, but him they found not.

Then he said to them: O foolish, and slow of heart to believe in all things which the prophets have spoken. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and so to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the scriptures, the things that were concerning him. And they drew night to the town, whither they were going: and he made as though he would go farther. But they constrained him; saying: Stay with us, because it is towards evening, and the day is now far spent. And he went in with them.

And it came to pass, whilst he was at table with them, he took bread, and blessed, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him: and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to the other: Was not our heart burning within us, whilst he spoke in this way, and opened to us the scriptures? And rising up, the same hour, they went back to Jerusalem: and they found the eleven gathered together, and those that were staying with them, Saying: The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way; and how they knew him in the breaking of the bread.
Luke 24:13-35 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer Reflection

Dear Father this beautiful story of two men traveling to Emmaus reminds us of our own road we've traveled in our lives. Without doubt the people who have come into our lives at certain times to say specific things to us to reveal your word. Sitting back and reflecting upon this opened my eyes to the truth of this Gospel message. How it's possible in many different ways for us to also be these two who have met up with Jesus and not recognized him until he broke bread with them. Many of us have our eyes closed to how God works, but when we read of these encounters and miracles, we might discover them also in our life and in our journeys. Maybe not in the same dramatic way, but all it takes is for us to be open to His Word and listen with our hearts. We too will come to see Jesus in the breaking of the bread when we join with him at our Eucharistic meal. Do we look forward to these chance encounters but the best question of all is do we look forward to receiving his presence in the breaking of the bread.