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April 12, 2024Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures!
The resurrection narrative which we call The Road to Emmaus is a famous Scripture passage. The two disciples were walking the seven-mile trek Easter Sunday afternoon, and while on the road, a “stranger” begins to walk with them and enters their conversation. Their hearts begin to burn as he opens their minds to understand the Scriptures. And yet, they do not recognize that it is Jesus! The eleven apostles have just spent three years day and night with The Master, itinerant, camping out at night, listening to him teach the crowds and doing miracles! How could these two not recognize that it was Jesus?
True, the identity of these disciples is disputed. One was Cleopas, but who was the other? Some think it was Simon Peter, or Luke. Others argue that the second “disciple” was Mary the wife of Cleopas. She is mentioned as being present at the crucifixion with the Blessed Mother. Dr. Tim Gray argues this, saying that just as Adam and Eve’s eyes were opened to their sin at the first creation, so another married couple’s eyes were opened by their Savior, on the first day of the New Creation, where Christ has risen!
What we do know for sure is that the more Jesus talked, the more their hearts burned. They invited him in for supper, and after he gave thanks and offered the bread (the Eucharist), their eyes were opened, and they saw it was Jesus. Whereupon He disappeared.
Our Gospel today opens when these two disciples, Cleopas (and Mary, his wife?) reach the upper room, after walking the seven miles back to Jerusalem Easter Sunday night! They ended their story with how Jesus was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
I would like for us all to pray today for the Easter grace of having our minds opened to understand the Scriptures. The Bible is God’s Word, and it contains all the teaching we need to get to Heaven. But I am often told by people that they don’t understand much of what they read in the Scriptures.
Here is my advice: Read everything in Sacred Scripture looking for Jesus. You will find Him there from the beginning to the end.
I will be in Gaylord, MI this week giving a priest retreat. I ask your prayers for the good priests of the diocese of Gaylord, and for their bishop, Bishop Jeff Walsh.
Happy Easter!
Fr. Brett Brannen
Pastor
