Emmaus Rd.

No, I have not abandoned the blog! Just got caught up in other things!

This week we continue the resurrection appearances of Jesus in our gospel readings. Luke 24:13-35. Some interesting pieces to lift up about this story follow.

• This is the only gospel in which this story appears. The man named "Cleopas" and his unnamed companion (some speculate it was his wife) also appears nowhere else in the scriptures. Obviously Cleopas was in the circle of those who followed Jesus, though not one of the 12. I love it that Jesus appears to those not in the inner circle: Mary and the other women, Cleopas. We need to remember that the early Christian Community consisted of far more than those 11 disciples!
• Cleopas and wife come to know Jesus in two important ways: first, through the scriptures. He reminds them of what they already know about him and how God has kept trying to make clear who God is!
• Second, they know him through the breaking of the bread. Obviously, this has Eucharistic implications (that last supper, by the way, Da Vinci notwithstanding, had to have included more than just the 12. If it was a Seder, then women had to be present at the very least!). Jesus took, blessed, broke and gave which are all basic movements of Holy Communion. More than once these post-Resurrection appearances involve eating! He had an actual human body and was not a ghost
• So excited were Cleopas and friend that they ran, in the dark!!!! back to Jerusalem to tell the others. Their hearts burned. They were inflamed!