Reflection for Wednesday Within Easter Octave.

By

Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Director, Social Action Movement, Don Bosco Bidar 

 Today's Gospel Passage 


 Luke 24:13-35

 They recognised him at the breaking of bread

Two of the disciples of Jesus were on their way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking together about all that had happened. Now as they talked this over, Jesus himself came up and walked by their side; but something prevented them from recognising him. He said to them, ‘What matters are you discussing as you walk along?’ They stopped short, their faces downcast.

  Then one of them, called Cleopas, answered him, ‘You must be the only person staying in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have been happening there these last few days.’ ‘What things?’ he asked. ‘All about Jesus of Nazareth’ they answered ‘who proved he was a great prophet by the things he said and did in the sight of God and of the whole people; and how our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and had him crucified. Our own hope had been that he would be the one to set Israel free. And this is not all: two whole days have gone by since it all happened; and some women from our group have astounded us: they went to the tomb in the early morning, and when they did not find the body, they came back to tell us they had seen a vision of angels who declared he was alive. Some of our friends went to the tomb and found everything exactly as the women had reported, but of him they saw nothing.’

  Then he said to them, ‘You foolish men! So slow to believe the full message of the prophets! Was it not ordained that the Christ should suffer and so enter into his glory?’ Then, starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, he explained to them the passages throughout the scriptures that were about himself.

  When they drew near to the village to which they were going, he made as if to go on; but they pressed him to stay with them. ‘It is nearly evening’ they said ‘and the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them. Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognised him; but he had vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?’

  They set out that instant and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven assembled together with their companions, who said to them, ‘Yes, it is true. The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’ Then they told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread. 

 Reflection on the readings 

In life, if we want to move fast, we go alone.

But if we want to go far, then we go together.

In the Bible we know of at least two characters who went on alone.

Peter went on alone and he denied Jesus three times and he ended up in misery.

Judas went on alone, and he ended up as a tragedy.

That also teaches us that when we are unhappy or in misery, we do need company.

In the gospel, the two disciples on the way to Emmaus were downcast and they needed each other’s company.

But we remember that Jesus promised that where two or three are gathered in His name, He will be there.

Jesus was there for those two disciples to keep them company in their misery.

Jesus was also there for Peter and John in their ministry.

So, silver and gold may make us happy, but what is priceless is when we share with someone in misery our company.

And as Jesus promised, He will be there to be in our company.


        GOD BLESS YOU

Good morning. Have a nice day.

Let's pray for the forthcoming state Elections to be free fair and credible