After eight days, Jesus came in and stood among them.

After eight days, Jesus came in and stood among them.

35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
36 As they were saying this, Jesus himself stood among them and said: Peace be with you; it is I, do not fear.
37 But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. 
38 And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? 
39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." 
41 And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" 
42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 
43 and he took it and ate before them. 
44 Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled." 
45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 
46 and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 
47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 
48 You are witnesses of these things. 

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 put 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