Easter Day 12 noon

Sunday
12.00 noon

On the road

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 recognising 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 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. (Luke 24. 13-27)

Jerusalem was beginning to empty. The festival was over and it was time to get back home, back to normal life. Cleopas was heading out of town with the crowds, heading back to his home in Emmaus and he was travelling with – well, we don’t know who it was. Was it his wife Mary? Anyway, these two disciples are heading out of town. Perhaps they can’t wait to leave the city. Seeing Jesus die was heart-rending; they were grief-stricken and exhausted in supporting Mary in her agony. And as they left, rumours were beginning to circulate among their friends that Jesus had been seen alive. They couldn’t believe it. So they headed home, home where they could get back to normal – but it would be a new normality.

On their journey they talked, sharing memories and thoughts. There were a great many people on the road, so when someone caught them up it didn’t seem strange. But what was strange was that someone heading in the same direction knew nothing of what had been happening in Jerusalem. They gave him all the details, shared with him their experience. And then he speaks. This account of the experience on the road to Emmaus is, for many, one of the most important gospel passages. It is about the Christian life, it is about the Eucharist, it about knowing God, knowing Jesus.