The disciples in today’s Gospel are representatives for the whole community of the church. As they walked on the road, wondering what had happened and how to make sense of it all, the Risen Jesus came to them. Jesus came to clarify and deepen their faith. Jesus came to show them a deeper truth of the resurrection.
First Jesus made the connection between words from the past and deeds of the present. Jesus spoke about the words the prophets spoke to Israel before he came. He recalled the prophet’s words about his suffering and life-giving death. As he spoke the disciples gradually realized the connection between the promises from the prophets and what happened on Good Friday. The words of the prophets and the deeds of Jesus became one mystery of God’s love.
Later as the Risen Jesus and the disciples sat together in the friendship of a meal shared, Jesus blessed the bread, broke it and gave it to them. Their memory was stirred and they came to believe the truth of Jesus’ words, “This is my body given for you.” This simple action of a meal shared became a powerful bond of love between the disciples and Jesus and between the disciples themselves. “Were not our hearts burning within us.”
Wouldn’t it have been wonderful to be on the road that day with those disciples? The truth is we can have that experience of the presence of the Risen Lord though perhaps not with the same intensity. While going up to receive communion, look at the crucifix, feel the presence of the people around you, pay attention to the spirit of prayer which fills the church. The music, the candles, people’s reverence all join to provide a sign of Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist and in the community gathered in prayer.
In our gathering for Eucharist, we are joining together the stories of Jesus’ suffering and resurrection and God’s faithfulness promised by the Old Testament prophets. We celebrate the truth that all of this is really one story of God’s love. The words, the deeds, the memory all come together in our belief that Jesus is Risen and among us with his saving love.