Wednesday’s gospel is the story that inspired the name for my blog. It is also the story that inspired me to start going to daily Mass about 4 or 5 years ago. I’ve learned that frequent reception of the Eucharist keeps my mind on the Living Christ and hope in the redemption He purchased for us with His Blood.
When a very significant event occurs in our world it affects countless people, and gives many of us memories that last for the rest of out lives. For example, for my parents and their generation both Pearl Harbor and the day President Kennedy was shot affected people all over the world. I can remember very little about my activities last Friday. However I can remember very clearly everything that I did on that Friday in 1963 when Kennedy was shot, even though I was only 10 years old. I also remember September 11, 2001 as though it was yesterday. For many days—even years—that was the main topic of conversation for me, and everyone around me. In fact, people are still talking about it—and the consequences that came from that day, rightly or wrongly, agree or disagree.
In the gospel for Wednesday of Easter week the words of Cleopas about the events in Jerusalem make it clear that this was a very significant day for him and for everyone else in Jerusalem at that time.
The people in Jerusalem were all affected by the events of Easter whether they knew Jesus or not. And since many visitors had come to the city for Passover there were many who had not previously heard of Jesus. Had they had newspapers at that time, this would have been a front-page story. (If it were the NY Times it would have negatively portrayed Jesus as a rabble-rouser and criminal—but I digress). And so Cleopas is incredulous how anyone who was in Jerusalem during those days could fail to know of what happened there. St. Luke does not give the name of the companion of Cleopas. He does tell us that they were disciples of Jesus. And he makes it clear that they were sad and disillusioned as they walked along on their return home to Emmaus. In spite of all the teaching and preaching of Jesus these disciples had apparently given up hope of redemption when Jesus died on the cross. They seemed to regard the disappearance of the body as an unfolding mystery with more details to come.
Cleopas and his friend did not recognize the risen Jesus as he walked along with them. In the evening, after they prevailed upon him to spend the night with them, he joined them for their evening meal. It is when they were at table that the disciples recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread. St. Luke describes the scene at table in words almost identical to those he uses in the preceding chapter of his gospel when he describes the breaking of bread at the Last Supper. As we know it was on that occasion that Jesus instituted the Sacrament of the Eucharist. So on this occasion he gave the Eucharist to the disciples. And it was in the receiving of the Eucharist that their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus. They recognized him as he shared his body with them in Holy Communion. Jesus was probably telling them that although his body would soon cease to be present to them, he would remain close to them in the Holy Eucharist. Cleopas and the other disciple were immediately transformed from sadness to incredible joy. The full truth of the Resurrection came to them and they realized that they were in the presence of Jesus. Even when Jesus suddenly disappeared from their sight, they remained filled with joy. They forgot all about their previous plans and joyfully rushed back (in the dark!) to tell the brethren in Jerusalem what they had witnessed.
Today we continue to enjoy the incredible gift of the Holy Eucharist. We are able to be with Christ in the Sacrament. It is the reason I try to attend daily Mass! And this wonderful gift suffuses our Easter celebration with joy. Just as the eyes of the disciples were opened to see Jesus on that Easter night, so we are privileged to be with Jesus in our Easter celebration.
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