REFLECTIONS TODAY

Sorrow shared is halved. We all need listening ears, especially when we experience a big loss in life. The two disciples choose to stick together and trudge their way back to Emmaus with heavy hearts. To them, Jerusalem is the city of dashed dreams and failed promises. The execution of their Master is still a big question that rankles their minds. The two disciples are absorbed in their thoughts when a stranger inserts himself in their company. As he speaks to them about how Jesus had to suffer before he enters his glory, they feel their hearts burning with hope. Finally, they recognize Jesus at the “breaking of the bread” (v 35). Jesus comes to us each time we share our true self with our close friends and even with strangers. The risen Christ continues to be with us as we welcome him along the road and as we sit down for the Eucharist.

Gospel • Luke 24:13-35

That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus... And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” ... “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene... how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel... Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his Body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive...” And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight... So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. *Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022.” Website:*[*http://www.stpauls.ph*](http://www.stpauls.ph)*.*