April 16, 2025

By Father William Muench
NCC columnist

The Resurrection of Jesus, Easter Sunday, is new life for us all. Each of the Gospel writers give us resurrection stories of Jesus. For us, the resurrection of Jesus brings us joy, peace and new life. The resurrection of Jesus is transformative for us all, for our whole world.

I love the Emmaus story on the day of the Lord’s resurrection. I suspect this is a favorite for many of you. I love the Emmaus story because I see myself so clearly in it. I have made certain that this will be the Gospel reading at my funeral. Today, I would like you to join me as we remember this story. You can find it in Luke’s Gospel, Chapter 24.

On the day of Jesus’ Resurrection, two followers of the Lord were returning home from Jerusalem to their home in Emmaus, seven miles away. I like to believe that they were a married couple. We are told the man’s name, Cleopas. They are discussing all that happened in Jerusalem that very day.

Then we are told that someone comes along and joins them. It is Jesus. However, they do not recognize that this is Jesus. He asks them what they were discussing. They are surprised. “You must be the only visitor to Jerusalem who doesn’t know what happened in these days.”

This man, Cleopas, then gives a witness to his faith as he describes what has happened to Jesus. They still do not realize this is Jesus. He says, “Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people.” He tells of Jesus’ sufferings and crucifixion. He goes on to mention his hopes. “We were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel.” He says that this very day they have been told that some of their group went to the tomb and had a vision of angels, but Jesus was not found there.

Then Jesus – they still do not recognize him – speaks to them. “Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory.” Then we are told that Jesus shows them, beginning with Moses and all the prophets, what referred to the Messiah in all the Scriptures. Each time I read this story I imagine how wonderful that moment must have been. Can you imagine a Bible class with the Lord?

Finally, they arrive at Emmaus. Jesus, who they still do not recognize, prepares to go on. The couple urge him to stay a while with them. Then we are told they gather at the table. Jesus, then, takes some bread, says the blessing, breaks it and gives it to them. At that moment, we are told, their eyes were opened, and they recognized that this man who accompanied them and taught them Scripture was truly a resurrected Jesus. They had experienced the Lord Jesus now very much alive. They had shared Eucharist with him.

It is important that we realize that this is our story each time we come together as the people of God to celebrate Mass. We begin with the Liturgy of the Word. We read Scripture and then, with the help of the Lord, we try to understand the message for us. We are walking with Jesus on the road to Emmaus. Then we go to the altar with Jesus as the Emmaus couple did at their home. Jesus is present with us as our priest consecrates the bread and wine to the Body and Blood of Jesus. The Lord is truly present with us. In Holy Communion, we receive Our Savior as our strength, our guide, our Lord. We are transformed just as if we were there on the road to Emmaus.