Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

13 That same day two of His followers were going to the town of Emmaus. It was about a two-hour walk from Jerusalem. 14 They talked of all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking together, Jesus Himself came and walked along with them. 16 Something kept their eyes from seeing Who He was.

 17 He said to them, "What are you talking about as you walk?" They stood still and looked sad. 18 One of them, whose name was Cleopas, said to Him, "Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who has not heard of the things that have happened here these days?" 19 Jesus said to them, "What things?" They answered, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth. He was the great One Who spoke for God. He did powerful works and spoke powerful words in the sight of God and the people. 20 And the religious leaders and the leaders of the people gave Him over to be killed and nailed Him to a cross. 21 We were hoping He was the One Who was going to make the Jewish people free. But it was three days ago when these things happened.

 22 "Some of the women of our group have surprised us and made us wonder. They went to the grave early this morning. 23 They did not find His body. They came back saying they had seen angels in a special dream who said that He was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the grave and found it as the women had said. But they did not see Him."

 25 Then Jesus said to them, "You foolish men. How slow you are to believe what the early preachers have said. 26 Did not Christ have to go through these hard things to come into His shining-greatness?" 27 Jesus kept on telling them what Moses and all the early preachers had said about Him in the Holy Writings.

 28 When they came to the town where they were going, Jesus acted as if He were going farther. 29 But they said to Him, "Stay with us. It will soon be evening. The day is about over." He went in to stay with them. 30 As He sat at the table with them, He took the bread and gave thanks and broke it. Then He gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened and they knew Him. Then He left them and could not be seen. 32 They said to each other, "Were not our hearts filled with joy when He talked to us on the road about what the Holy Writings said?"

 33 Then they got up at once and went back to Jerusalem. They found the eleven followers together and others with them. 34 They said, "For sure the Lord is risen and was seen by Simon." 35 Then they told what had happened on the road and how they came to know Him when He broke the bread.

Meditation: Why was it difficult for the disciples to recognize the risen Lord? Jesus' death scattered his disciples and shattered their hopes and dreams.  They had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.  They saw the cross as defeat and could not comprehend the empty tomb until the Lord appeared to them and gave them understanding.  Jesus chided the disciples on the road to Emmaus for their slowness of heart to believe what the scriptures had said concerning the Messiah.  They did not recognize the risen Jesus until he had broken bread with them. Do you recognize the Lord in his word and in the breaking of the bread?

St. Augustine of Hippo (5th century) reflects on the dimness of their perception: "They were so disturbed when they saw him hanging on the cross that they forgot his teaching, did not look for his resurrection, and failed to keep his promises in mind" (Sermon 235.1).  "Their eyes were obstructed, that they should not recognize him until the breaking of the bread.  And thus, in accordance with the state of their minds, which was still ignorant of the truth (that the Christ would die and rise again", their eyes were similarly hindered.  It was not that the truth himself was misleading them, but rather that they were themselves unable to perceive the truth." (From The Harmony of the Gospels, 3.25.72) How often do we fail to recognize the Lord when he speaks to our hearts and opens his mind to us? The Risen Lord is ever ready to speak his word to us and to give us understanding of his ways.  Do you listen attentively to the Word of God and allow his word to change and transform you?

Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, open the eyes of my heart to recognize your presence with me and to understand the truth of your saving word. Nourish me with your life-giving word and with the bread of life."

Psalm 105: 1-9

1 O give thanks to the Lord. Call on His name. Make His works known among the people.
 2 Sing to Him. Sing praises to Him. Tell of all His great works.
 3 Honor His holy name. Let the heart of those who look to the Lord be glad.
 4 Look for the Lord and His strength. Look for His face all the time.
 5 Remember the great and powerful works that He has done. Keep in mind what He has decided and told us,
 6 O children of His servant Abraham, O sons of Jacob, His chosen ones!
 7 He is the Lord our God. What He has decided is in all the earth.

 8 He has remembered His agreement forever, the promise He made to last through a thousand families-to-come,
 9 the agreement that He made with Abraham, and His promise to Isaac.