P
eople gravitate to the parables and miracles of Jesus. But the story of the encounter on the road in Luke 24 opens a window on the power of the Word and Eucharist for believers. Pope Francis returns to the biblical chapter first cited in this document.
6. Before encountering his disciples, gathered behind closed doors, and opening their minds to the understanding of the Scriptures (cf. Lk 24:44-45), the risen Lord appeared to two of them on the road to Emmaus from Jerusalem (cf. Lk 24:13-35). Saint Luke’s account notes that this happened on the very day of his resurrection, a Sunday. The two disciples were discussing the recent events concerning Jesus’ passion and death. Their journey was marked by sorrow and disappointment at his tragic death. They had hoped that he would be the Messiah who would set them free, but they found themselves instead confronted with the scandal of the cross. The risen Lord himself gently draws near and walks with them, yet they do not recognize him (cf. v. 16). Along the way, he questions them, and, seeing that they have not grasped the meaning of his passion and death, he exclaims: “O foolish men, and slow of heart” (v. 25). Then, “beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the Scriptures” (v.27). Christ is the first exegete! Not only did the Old Testament foretell what he would accomplish, but he himself wished to be faithful to its words, in order to make manifest the one history of salvation whose fulfilment is found in Christ.
I hesitate to add any commentary to that of the Holy Father, but just pointing out the citation of those pillars of Judaism, the Law and the Prophets, and that Jesus embodied both lawgiver and prophet. And more, we are called to witness to this in our kerygma in the world.
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Catholic Sensibility 