First Reading: Acts 2:14, 22-33
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:17-21
Gospel: Luke 24:13-35
Reflection Questions
1. Describe the emotion that the two disciples felt as their hearts ‘burned’ with the words of Jesus.
2. Rate your knowledge of Scripture, from 1-10, 10 being the highest. What action/commitment can you take to better know Christ in the Scriptures?
3. Think back to a time when Jesus revealed Himself to you, either at Mass, in Scripture or through prayer, that was a powerful meeting with Him: How did that experience change who you were? Describe.
Gospel Reflection
The Gospel account of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus is a model for all Christians about encountering Christ. This passage occurs later in the day on Easter Sunday, and two disciples (one of whom is named Cleopas) are on their way from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Why they were going, we are not sure: Perhaps they were trying to get away from the ‘buzz’ that was over Jerusalem. Indeed we find out from Cleopas that Jesus’ crucifixion was the talk of the town. The two disciples just happen to meet up with a traveler, whom we know is Jesus – but they don’t! Cleopas makes sure that this person (Jesus) understands very well that he has essentially been living under a rock for three days, and belittles Jesus for His apparent ignorance of current events. The two of them decide to fill Jesus in about the events of His crucifixion (isn’t that ironic), but express some doubt about the apparent rumors that Jesus has been resurrected. Jesus wastes no time telling them how foolish they are (throwing it back in their faces), but rather then abandoning them, He begins to strategically take them through the Scriptures, to show them how He is the fulfillment of the Old Testament. What Jesus does with them is give them the ultimate Bible study, passing on to them the true interpretation of the Old Testament passages. We see a clear precedent for the proper study of the Bible: Only in Christ can we have the proper interpretation of Scripture. The two disciples were literally caught up and transformed by Jesus’ words: How many of us have been transformed by a new and fresh understanding of Jesus? The disciples were totally enraptured with Him, and wanted to hear more, so much so that they wouldn’t let Him leave. At dinner, Jesus blessed and broke the bread (as He had done at the Last Supper), and in that action, the two disciples recognized Jesus. Does this make you wonder why they didn’t recognize Him before – and to whom did they think that they were talking as He lectured them (certainly it sounds like the two of them weren’t strangers to Jesus and His disciples)? Jesus uses this occasion to teach them not only about Scripture, but also about the Eucharist. They recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread, a direct reference to the Eucharist, the Bread of life. The Eucharist is what feeds us and helps us to see and love Jesus. The two disciples were overcome with joy upon recognizing the Lord. Is this how you and I participate at the Holy Mass? Many times we think that the Mass is boring – Is that Jesus’ fault? Is that the priest’s fault? Perhaps it is time that we look squarely at ourselves, and not place the blame with anyone else. What more does Jesus need to do to make Himself present to us at the Mass? Jesus holds nothing back to us at Mass, just as He held nothing back from the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. May the example of the two disciples challenge us to shift our focus to what really matters, and constantly be looking for Jesus in the Mass.
No comments:
Post a Comment