They recognized him at the breaking of the bread

They recognized him at the breaking of the bread

13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem,
14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened.
15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them,
16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
17 And he said to them, "What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?" They stood still, looking sad.
18 Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?"
19 He asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,
20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him.
21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place.
22 Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning,
23 and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive.
24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him."
25 Then he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared!
26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?"
27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on.
29 But they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over." So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.
31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.
32 They said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?"
33 That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together.
34 They were saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!"
35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread. (NRSV)

Inspiration of the Holy Spirit - From the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The disciples of Emmaus were discussing their encounter with Jesus, how their hearts burned as they listened to the Holy Scriptures and how they recognized him in the breaking of the bread.

Every time we hear the Word of God or whenever we attend the Holy Mass, we have an encounter with Jesus who is the Word of God. We normally take it for granted and simply read or hear words without meditating deep enough in what the Lord is trying to tell us. Perhaps because we have heard the same words before.
We don't stop to reflect on the supernatural meaning of the words of Jesus, who gives us food for our souls. Perhaps we are too busy to give honour to the One who has the power to change our lives.

When we listen to the Word of God, we are listening to the same Word that said: "Let there be light" and the light was made. We are listening to Him who has the power to create, to shape, to sustain, to love and to protect.

Jesus appeared again to the disciples and the apostles, they were very surprised to see someone who had been dead and now was alive, they were not too sure if he was real or just a vision, this is why Jesus showed them his hands and feet which had been pierced, he invited them to touch him, to believe in him and he actually confirmed to them that he was real by asking them for some food to eat.

The reason why they did not recognize him and were doubtful is because Jesus appeared to them in his glorified body, even though it was Him, they had not paid attention to the scriptures regarding his sufferings and death and that he would raise from the dead. He came back to confirm all that and also to reassure them that He was still with them.

God is Spirit, Jesus is still truly present with us in His Word and also sacramentally, he invites us to ponder his word and to come to Him, to touch him, to believe in him and to put all our trust in him, even though we can only see him through the eyes of our faith. He told the disciples and his apostles that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

When we hear the Word of God and understand its urgency, the Holy Spirit inflames our hearts with burning desire to transmit our faith.

There are some who still don't give enough credit to the Word of God, some other love the Word of God but can not still recognize Him in the breaking of the bread. Jesus is truly present in the breaking of the bread, whenever the anointed priest says the words of the consecration and breaks the bread at the altar.

How fortunate we are, God is with us, Emmanuel.

Author: Joseph of Jesus and Mary