Stay with us. It is nearly evening…
Listening to the Spirit
Lord, open our hearts and minds so that in the despairing situation of the current crisis, we may be able to see your presence in our midst as what happened with the two disciples in the Road to Emmaus. May our hearts burn with your words of hope and life.
Listening to the Word
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.
Reflection
Today’s Gospel invites us to put our own situation and the situation of the world in the middle of COVID-19’s crisis, as the situation of the two disciples of Jesus in their journey to Emmaus. Cleopas and his friend, with despairing hearts, had set out on the road to Emmaus. The joy of the resurrection was not able to keep them in Jerusalem. They felt that everything is over, no more reason for them to go through. This is also the situation among people all around the world, and maybe among us. We are not able to see the hope that we put on this world, we are not able to feel the joy of the resurrection. We want to go back to our previous life; where there is hope and security of life.
What we can learn from this gospel of today? The Lord invites us not to focus on our plan, but on the plan of God. Of course, it is not easy to see the plan of God. Many of us doubting if the Lord is still with us; if He is with us, why all of this happen? As in the road to Emmaus, Jesus joins us in this situation. Little by little, He tries to explain to us the plan of God for the whole world. If we put aside our plans and expectations, we will able to see and understand.
People often talk about Jesus as though His death had been followed immediately with the resurrection. Jesus remains in the tomb for three days. This reminds us of the story of Lazarus; the desperate heart of Mary and Martha dealing with the death of Lazarus. The Lord comes to bring hope and to strengthen their faith. Back to the road to Emmaus, the Lord walked with them and explaining to them all that is written about Him. The explanation that the Lord gave to them, burned up their hearts within. They feel the hope spring up in their hearts and minds. The story has to be continued. We have to invite Jesus to stay with us as they did. The breaking of the bread made clear to them the presence of the Lord in their midst.
May the Eucharist become the source of our hope and strength to continue the journey and to be faithful to the plan of God in our lives.
Reflection Questions
Liturgical time
Writers
Fr. Eugenio Pulcini, SX
Fr. Luigino Marchioron, SX
Fr. Simone Piccolo, SX
Fr. Patrick Abdul Fornah, SX
Fr. Handrianus Masri, SX
Fr. Thiago Rodrígues, SX
Fr. Everaldo Dos Santos, SX
Rev. Martinus Zalukhu, SX
Bro. Michael Thimoty, SX
Bro. Isidore Kawaya Idumbo, SX
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