The Road to Emmaus

On the same day of the resurrection, two disciples were walking from Jerusalem to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles away. They were talking about everything that had happened, heartbroken and confused. As they walked, Jesus Himself came alongside them — but they were prevented from recognizing Him.

He asked what they were discussing. They stopped, their faces downcast, and one of them said, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn't know the things that have happened?" They explained everything — Jesus the prophet, the chief priests, the crucifixion, the empty tomb. Jesus responded gently, "How foolish and slow you are to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and enter into His glory?" Then, beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He explained the Scriptures to them — everything pointing to Himself.

As they reached their destination, they urged Him to stay. He came in and sat at table with them. He took bread, gave thanks, broke it — and suddenly their eyes were opened. They recognized Him. And He disappeared from their sight. They looked at each other and said, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked to us on the road?" We meet Jesus in the breaking of the bread — in every liturgy, He opens the Scriptures and breaks the bread for us.