It was a couple of days after the death of Jesus of Nazareth on the cross on Golgotha, a hill outside Jerusalem, when two travellers set off on an 11-kilometre journey to walk to the small village of Emmaus.

For Cleopas and his wife Mary it was a journey to their home, yet they were far from happy. Indeed, they were despondent as they walked and talked about the happenings of the past few days.

Cleopas and Mary were disciples of Jesus and Mary was a first-hand witness of the crucifixion of Jesus. She was present on Golgotha with Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary of Magdala, and John, a beloved apostle of Jesus.

Suddenly they were joined by another traveller, a seeming stranger, who asked about the things they are discussing. Cleopas and Mary related what they knew of Jesus of Nazareth, his works, his crucifixion, and of their despair at the news of that very morning that his body was missing from the tomb in which they laid him on Friday. Some of the women who visited the tomb very early this morning spoke of a meeting with angels who told them he had risen from the dead. This only added to the confusion.

The traveller listened intently until they finished speaking. Then he responded: “Why are you so down hearted?  So slow to believe all that the prophets have said! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer before entering into his glory?’

The traveller began to share the words of the prophets that foretold the coming of the Messiah and of the suffering he was to endure. He spoke of prophecies from the Book of Numbers, Deuteronomy, Samuel, Isaiah, the Psalms, Daniel, Micah and Zechariah.

The man spoke with such authority and with such a depth of knowledge of scripture, Cleopas and Mary felt their hearts beating a little faster with excitement.

During those 11 kilometres, the traveller broke open the scriptures – the prophecies, the law – passages which the disciples would have known so well and yet began to understand in a whole new light. Suddenly the old appeared to be new!

The kilometres just melted away … almost suddenly they realised they had arrived at Emmaus, their destination. Cleopas and Mary offered the hospitality of their home, urging the man to stay the night with them. He graciously accepted.

Later, as they were at table for a simple meal, Mary asked the stranger to offer a blessing. He took the bread in his hands, raised his head to heaven and offered a prayer. Then he broke the bread and handed the pieces to Mary and Cleopas. In that instant, the eyes of Cleopas and Mary opened with excitement and joy. They recognised him! It was Jesus, the Risen Lord. And, in that instant of recognition, Jesus simply vanished. 

And their eyes were opened and they recognised him… Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?’ [Luke 24:31-32]

Cleopas and Mary immediately set out that instant to return to Jerusalem. They were like excited children, babbling enthusiastically all the way as they hurried to get back and share their encounter with the other disciples.

We all have our own Road to Emmaus experience.  Every table of the Eucharist is Emmaus: every moment of hearing the Scriptures is the road to Emmaus. We are always on the road, as Jesus speaks His word and breaks the bread of His love.

A spiritual encounter with God, in whatever forms we experience that encounter, is an intensely personal experience. It can be different for each of us.

There is something that touches me deep inside each time I hear, read or think about the road to Emmaus story. It is as if I am on the road with Jesus, that I was one of the two disciples whose eyes he opened and whose hearts burned within them as he unlocked the meanings of the Scripture.

However, the place I can count on experiencing the Lord is in the Eucharist. Whilst Jesus comes to me in countless different ways – every one of them beautiful and real – the one predictable place where my experience of Jesus is usually more intense is in the Eucharist. And it is in the Eucharist that Jesus calls us to witness to his presence, to spread the Good News of the Word of God.

What will you do, from this time forward, to respond to His call, His challenge to you?

How do you experience Jesus in your life? Reflect in your heart about experiencing Jesus in the Eucharist. How is it different from any other experience you have of Jesus?

Have a golden day and treasure life!