The Road to Emmaus
FEast: third sunday of easter
Patrons of:
recognizing jesus in the face of others + accompaniment on the journey + those struggling with questions
Bio
Two were headed to Emmaus, 7 miles from Jerusalem. One was named Clopas and the other was unnamed. They were discussing all that had happened to Jesus when he himself joined them, but they were unable to recognize him. He asks what they were discussing and Clopas is astounded he had not heard about the recent events. They explain,
“... Jesus of Nazareth … He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
Jesus then tells them they have been foolish to be saddened and disappointed, since the Messiah was supposed to suffer these things anyway, and he goes back through Scripture to plainly lay out all the prophecies for them.
Since they arrive at the village as it is getting late, they ask him to stay with them longer instead of continuing on. When Jesus broke the bread and said the blessing at their table, they finally recognized him, and in that moment, he disappeared. They then recall that they did “feel their hearts burning” as they were walking with him along the road.
The two rush back to Jerusalem to meet with the other apostles, who are discussing their own experience of Jesus appearing to Peter that day. They relate their own story of how they recognized him at the table.
This story is interpreted not only as a literal miracle, but also as a metaphor for the early christians coming to recognize Jesus in the face of others. Some also believe that the fact that the other disciple goes unnamed allows the reader of the story to imagine themselves in this place.
Prayer
Just like the two on the road to Emmaus, may we recognize you, Jesus, in the faces of those we encounter along the way; especially those who seem lonely, forgotten, or distressed. Inspire us to listen, learn, and be changed. May we journey alongside our brothers and sisters with an open mind and compassionate heart. Amen.
Art Reflection
All of the colors, poses, and background imagery come from traditional icons of this scene. Clopas is pictured, as well as the unnamed other saint, which I read may have been an attempt by the writer to have the reader picture themselves in the story, so I left it ambiguous as to which person is which, in the hopes that the viewer can identify with whoever they most resemble. The person on the right is a younger person so that the high school ministry audience, for which it was commissioned, can relate!
