Third Sunday of Easter (A)

April 26, 2020

Readings:

First Reading: Acts 2: 14, 22-33

Psalm 16 “Lord, you will show us the path of life.”

Second Reading: 1 Peter 1: 17-21

Gospel reading according to Luke 24: 13-35

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Homily: On the Road to Emmaus

Is it time to go home, that the show was ended, as in the minds of two of Jesus' disciples? Nothing happened either?  They seemed to have lost in the game, so weak and exhausted the two of them who considered themselves disciples of Jesus. It seemed there was no more hope, no more life because their only hope was captured, tortured, crucified and now dead. They would have no more to be trusted, and they would continue to be enslaves to their own country at the hands of foreigners. “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” (Luke 24: 13-14).  As they walked back to their place of origin, to Emmaus, they were talking and would not forget the events that had happened just a few days ago, with sigh.   

Little did they notice that as they talked, they would speed up their steps as if they were chasing something, so they would not even notice that someone was following them and listening to what they were talking about.  “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” (Luke 24: 15-16).  Jesus came closer to the two but their eyes were prevented by the light of the setting sun so they did not recognize him.  He joined in their conversation.  “He asked them, ‵What are you discussing as you walk along?′  They stopped, looking downcast” (Luke 24: 17). He wanted to join in their discussion to know and to learn the minds and hearts of his trainees, whether they understood him or made it vague what he has done for them (for us).  What are you discussing as you walk along, is a question and an initial or beginning of entering into the heart and mind of the two trainees. It is also a theological inquiry to deepen their faith and belief in the resurrected Christ Jesus. But instead of starting the discussion, the two showed dismay, sadness, pessimistic, disappointment and disheartening – they looked at Jesus with downcast.

Cleopas, maybe husband of Mary Salome, cousin (or equivalent to sister) of Mary mother of Jesus, and one of the three Marys’ who went to the tomb early at dawn after the Sabbath where Jesus resurrected, asked Jesus with cynical tone. “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 were taken place there in these days?”′ (Luke 24: 18).  It seemed and it was strange to him that all the people in Jerusalem knew what had happened there and because it was very special day for the Jews – the Passover Feast, except he (Jesus).  All present in Jerusalem in one way or another have heard if not witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus the Nazarene.  “And he replied to them, ‵What sort of things?′” (Luke 24: 19).   Jesus scrutinized the two if they truly did know what really happened in Jerusalem and its meaning.

They told to this strange man whom they did not recognize what they had experience.  “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 and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see′.” (Luke 24: 19-24).  They told him what they knew about Jesus from Nazareth.  They considered him as a prophet and not as a Messiah or Savior.  That was all they knew about him. They have superficial knowledge of Jesus.  Then they connected right away the chief priests and elders in the Temple who arrested him, handed him over to Pontius Pilate and was given sentence of death on the Cross. Their hope about Jesus as a military and political king who will save Israel from the Romans was lost.  Then, they continued about the news brought by the women who came from the tomb and announced the resurrection of Jesus from the dead through the angels.  The Apostles Simon Peter and John went to the tomb and found the truth about the news of these women apostles to the Apostles, except the body of Jesus they did not see.  But above all, they did not believe to all the news they heard, witnessed and experienced, that’s why they went home, without hope, without life, as if they were losers.

Jesus as true Master, Teacher and Leader, he easily saw the weaknesses and limitations of the understanding of his disciples.  He wanted to re-direct their thoughts with regards to what really happened before the Sabbath day were Jesus was crucified and died on the cross.  “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” (Luke 24: 25-27).  He traced and recited the scripture from the prophet Moses, and all the prophets up to John the Baptizer with regards to the suffering Messiah, the lamb of God to be slaughtered and offered in the altar of the Cross for the remission if not totally eliminate the sins of the world.  Everything that referred to him in the Scriptures, he explained to them to make clearer for them the meaning of his passion, crucifixion, death and resurrection, sooner his ascension to heaven and his glorification.  

When they reached their village, Jesus intending to continue his journey in the end of the town of Emmaus.  But the two men suggested to stay in their home for it was getting dark and it was almost night.  The road is dangerous, ether there are bandits or the Roman soldiers are roaming and guarding the town or the terrain is difficult to pass because it is rough.  “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” (Luke 24: 28-29).  So, Jesus accepted their invitation.  He stayed to one of the houses of the two trainees. And, during suffer, while they were at table, Jesus acting as the host of the house say the blessing for the food.  They have bread, dried fish and a bottle of wine for their dinner.  “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” (Luke 24: 30-31).  He did the Eucharistic meal by taking the bread, said the blessing, broke it and gave it them to his disciples.  They witnessed again what he did to the five loaves of bread and fish in the plain when he multiplied the bread and five thousand men (excluding women and children) were able to eat and satisfied, in their presence.  When suddenly, little by little their eyes, minds and hearts were opening.  Little by little they understood everything in words (Scriptures) and in action (breaking of the bread).  But when they were totally aware of the presence of the risen Lord, Jesus Christ, he was already disappeared in their presence, but the warmth of his presence they can still feel, and taste, and sense.  Their hearts were burning.  “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!′” (Luke 24: 32-34).  That was the effect of meeting the risen Lord, our hearts are burning with love.  Despite it was already evening, and Jerusalem is seven miles from Emmaus, the two disciples decided to go back to Jerusalem and tell everything they experience in the presence of the risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for their hearts and minds understood now everything and they believed now to Jesus Christ.  While the Apostles and disciples in Jerusalem told them also that Jesus appeared to Simon Pester and to some selected disciples alive.  The Lord is risen from the dead, as they now believe and accepted it as true.

The two disciples from Emmaus testified also to the Apostles and disciples that Jesus appeared to them, joined them in the discussion about the suffering Messiah by explaining the Scriptures from the Books of the Prophets, joined them in the evening meal (supper), and recognized him in the breaking of the bread, and suddenly disappeared in their presence.  “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: 35).  They told the story with burning hearts, with enthusiasm, opened their minds with understanding and love.  It is time to go back to Jesus, the life of holiness must go on; Jesus won his enemy – sin and death.  We too won the victory of Jesus against our sins and the sins of the world, these are the things that happened, and the death of Jesus was not a waste but a triumph for us. The resurrection of Jesus gives us again hopes and life to continue believing in him, through him and with him, in spite of many problems, difficulties, tribulations, pandemic viruses, etc., now and forever.  Amen.