THIRD SUNDAY IN EASTER: A. April 6, 2008

Acts 2: 14,22-28 Psalm: 16 1 Pet 1: 17-21 Luke 24: 13-35

Reginald Fuller a renowned Scripture commentator says about the Disciples on the Road to Emmaus: “This is the most beautiful of all the appearance stories, and it seems almost blasphemy for the critical scholar to lay hands upon it. Luke, with consummate literary skill, has made it into a vivid narrative. However although it is so beautiful, it bears reflection as to how it flavours our every day life.

We have three beautiful cameo pictures which reflect our Christian life today:

The first is the picture of the Disciples leaving Jerusalem. It is a disappointing city. Jesus had told them to stay there. For Jesus it was not merely a geographic location. It was symbolic, as symbolic as Rome is to Catholics today. It was here that they had the last supper. It was here that Abraham had come to sacrifice Isaac. It was here that David brought the ark of the covenant. It was steeped in religious treasure. But they were disappointed. They were caught up in their own needless introspection. They were discussing and trying to make sense of what did not make sense. An empty tomb is what they found. There was no trace of even the body.

The second picture is a stranger walking with them. He calls them foolish. But they are not insulted. They fail to identify Jesus. But Jesus can see their blind spot. He knew that they loved their religious history and their prophets. And so starting from the prophets he begins to make them understand. Jesus is not concerned as to whether they recognize him as a celebrity, as one who has risen from the Dead. He is not in Hollywood, “lights, camera, action.” But he wants to be

recognized in their understanding of Scripture

recognized in the breaking of the Bread

recognized in their burning hearts as they hear the Word.

Scriptures they can understanding. The breaking of the Bread is fresh in their minds in more senses than one. Their hearts were burning re-echoed in one of their forefathers: Moses. He recognized God in the burning bush which was external. They would recognize him in the burning that was internal, in their hearts.

The third picture is as the Disciples reflect on their experience. They had not understood the Scriptures. But their experience was they were no longer in the darkness. They no longer feared the darkness. They would get up at that very moment and return to Jerusalem. They would return to the heart of the Church. They would go back to the community in Jerusalem. It was the community of Shalom, it was a community of peace. And is what Jesus wishes them as the other disciples await their return: Peace with you said Jesus.

This charming Gospel, challenges our own expectations of how God moves, how God acts and how God behaves. God will not be limited to our preconceptions of God. God will not fit into our convenient pigeon holes. God always pushes the envelope.