The Ultimate Evidence

A Reflection on the Gospel for Sunday, April 23rd, 2023:
The Third Sunday of Easter

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Luke
24:13-35 

On the first day of the week, two of the disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about eleven kilometres from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.

And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 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?”

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, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 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. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 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. 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.”

Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the Prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?”

Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the Scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 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.

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.

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?”

That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. These were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 

Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

So many discussions take place in my life: in my mind, with my family, with my friends, with my colleagues. So many thoughts, so many opinions, so much noise. Not all bad, but noisy nonetheless. Jockeying for position, reading the room, picking sides, sifting through the evidence, trying to convince others, trying to justify behaviour. So much energy expended, often motivated by so many things other than love.

Then Jesus quietly comes alongside. 

He walks along, listening. And He offers the ultimate evidence – the truth, the prophecy, the way. 

I can relate to not recognizing Him amid the debates and the emotion and the busy-ness of life, but the truth is that He is always quietly walking alongside me, listening and encouraging me to do the same. As I have looked back on my life and wondered, “Where were You, Lord?”, the realization that Love has always accompanied me has been a tremendous source of healing. I may not have recognized Him, may not have listened to Him, but He was always there: in the nudge of a “gut feeling,” in a fortunate turn of events, or in someone’s kind attention or care. Even when I can’t find Him in a memory of something, He heals me by accompanying me back there.

Of course, He is made known to me – to all of us – in the breaking of the bread, in fellowship, and especially in the Holy Mass. Blessed and broken. Given for us; and I’m reminded that the burning of the Holy Spirit within my heart is all the evidence I need.

Thank you, Lord, for your faithful and patient presence with us. I pray that You would be made known to us in all circumstances, despite the noise of life. Amen.




Lindsay Elford

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