Their Eyes Were Opened

April 11, 2012

Wednesday within the Octave of Easter

By Colleen O'Sullivan

That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his Body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb but found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. (Luke 24:13-35)

Piety

May glad alleluias ring in our hearts, for the Lord is risen!

Study

I’ve often wondered what it was about Jesus that got the first disciples to follow him. Maybe they were seeking adventure. Maybe he had a winning smile and a very persuasive way with words. Perhaps I’m too cautious and averse to change, but I honestly can’t imagine quitting my job, leaving home, and, for all intents and purposes, abandoning my family and friends to follow a stranger. Yet the first disciples staked everything on this carpenter’s son from Nazareth named Jesus.

They went wherever he went for the better part of three years. Not everything he said always made sense to them. Much of what he taught went right over their heads. But they followed him anyway, because he was going to change the world.

Yet here are two of them trudging home to Emmaus in despair. Their beloved leader was executed on a cross as a criminal three days earlier. Some of the women they know claim to have seen Jesus that morning, but all they could see was an empty tomb when they went to check out the story. This whole three-year trek has been nothing but a big bust. They know their families are going to say “I told you so,” and see them as fools when they get home, but they don’t have anywhere else to go. So, with heavy hearts, they are putting distance between themselves and Jerusalem.

I love the irony in their response when Jesus, the stranger, begins to accompany them. What are you so sad about? the Lord wants to know. You must be the only person in the world who doesn’t know what happened in Jerusalem, is their reply. Jesus plays them for a few minutes and then interprets all the Scriptures about the Christ, the Savior, for them. It’s not anything new; he tried more than once to explain all this to them over the last three years. But something is different today, because their hearts begin to burn within them as the stranger talks.

Later, at supper, the stranger blesses and breaks bread, then gives it to them. Suddenly, their eyes are opened. This is no stranger; this is Jesus, their beloved friend! He is alive, just as the women had said! Even as he vanishes from their sight, they are on their feet, hurrying back to their friends in Jerusalem to share with them the good news that the Lord is risen.

Action

During this first week after Easter, when our hearts are filled with joy, find some time to reflect on your own journey with Christ in the light of the first disciples’ experiences. What was it about Jesus that first attracted you? What have you left behind to follow him? Where is it that you see and experience the risen Lord? In the Scriptures? In the Eucharist? Somewhere else? To whom are you hurrying with the good news that Christ is alive?