In today’s gospel, we have the famous story of the trip of two disciples who set out from Jerusalem to Emmaus on the day of the resurrection. On the road, Jesus begins to walk with the disciples. For some reason, the disciples were unable to recognize Him. But as they went on their way, Jesus explained all of the Jewish scriptures that pointed to His death and resurrection. As a result, their hearts were inflamed in faith, and they asked Jesus to stay with them for the evening. As they had their evening meal, they recognized Jesus when He blessed and broke the bread, and then disappeared. Even though it was evening, they ran back to Jerusalem to tell the rest of the disciples. They found that Jesus had also appeared to Simon.
This story is rich in its theological depth and connection to the mass. Many spiritual insights can be gained by immersing ourselves in this story. However, a detail that I would like to focus on is often overlooked.
The mark of discipleship is Christian charity. St. James tells us that some will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. Works of mercy are evidence of an interior faith life that loves God.
When the disciples are on the road, they are leaving not only Jerusalem and the ugly event that happened there, but they are also leaving the community of disciples. In fact, they were leaving as soon as possible after Jesus’ death (they had rested on the Sabbath), and not even the news of the empty tomb had stopped them from leaving. They had lost their faith.
This is where Jesus finds them; on the road and downcast. And the first thing He does is restores their faith by explaining the scriptures to them. This ‘bible study’ strengthens the faith that had been lost after the crucifixion of Jesus, and immediately, their Christian charity was awakened as they invited a stranger to stay with them for the evening. It is after these moments that Jesus was able to be recognized in the meal they all shared.
While the Eucharistic theme of this story is usually front and center in its exegesis, it also bears noting that Eucharistic faith comes from a life that is filled with Christian charity. Inspired by the scriptures and their previous formation from Jesus’ mission of preaching, teaching, and healing, the disciples offered kindness to a stranger on the road. By receiving the man that they did not know was Jesus, they were given the gift of grace to recognize Jesus with the eyes of faith at the Eucharistic table.
So as we live in this Easter season, inspired by the incredible story of God’s love that the scriptures relay to us, it must drive us to the same radical Christian charity that drove the two disciples on the road to Emmaus to invite a stranger to stay with them. It is in these actions, that God will provide us to see Him not only in the sacraments and in the Word, but also in every person that we encounter.