Luke 24.13-35 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.’ Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Reflection Cleopas and his companion are grieving. They followed Jesus to Jerusalem believing he was “a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,” the one they hoped would “redeem Israel.” But the religious and political officials handed Jesus over to death. The bereft disciples have no idea where they are going, no picture for the future. They are grieving because all seems lost so they are walking away from Jerusalem, retelling the story of Jesus’ suffering and tragic death.
Are we not much like Cleopas and his unnamed friend, rehearsing the story of our suffering and death as we wander along? As of today (Friday April 24th) there are 5,769 confirmed covid19 cases with 249 deaths in Arizona, 1,026 cases in Pima County with 70 deaths here. Worldwide there are 2.74 million cases with 192 thousand deaths. Twenty seven million people have filed for unemployment. Financial despair and social distancing have led to mental health crisis. Isolation policies have meant people die alone and loved ones cannot bury and formally celebrate the lives of their dead. And even those for whom covid 19 and stay at home orders appear to change little agree, nothing will ever be the same.
Today we join Cleopas and his companion on the road to Emmaus. We have no idea where we are going. No clear picture for the future. And here is the good news. Jesus is walking with us, present in the midst of all the suffering, death and uncertainty. The question is, how do we recognize his real presence?
To help us along the way, we gather even remotely, at the table with Jesus. We remember the last Passover Supper when Jesus “took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” (Luke 22.19-20) Then like Cleopas and his companion, the eyes of our hearts are open and we recognize the real presence of Jesus.
We recognize the real presence of Jesus by what he does. He breaks bread and he shares it. Everyone is fed. Everyone is cared for. We recognize Jesus in stories like this one, told to me by a hospice chaplain. The dying wish of a woman was to hear the symphony. Staff who learned the woman had been a cellist reached out to the local orchestra. Playing remotely from their separate homes a flutist, a violinist and a cellist fulfilled the dying woman’s wish.
Jesus is made known through every healthcare and hospice worker, first responder, care giver and cook, folks who shelve or deliver groceries, house the homeless or sterilize shopping carts, deliver backpacks stuffed with books for children, call and send notes of encouragement to others, send money to the church to be used to help parishioners in need. We recognize the real presence of Jesus by what he does. As soon as our eyes are open we join Cleopas and his companion heading back to Jerusalem to tell our stories of how the real presence of Jesus is made known to us in the actions of self-giving love.
Perhaps you would like to spend fourteen minutes considering the ways you have recognized the real presence of Jesus while listening to the music of Allegri.
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