“That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.” – Luke 24:13–16
These two disciples were overwhelmed by grief and bewildered by the events that had taken place. As they walked from Jerusalem to Emmaus, they expressed their sadness and confusion. Jesus, Whom they had hoped “would be the one to redeem Israel,” was brutally tortured and crucified before their eyes. After His death, He was buried, and that very morning they heard reports from some of the women, as well as Peter and John, that His body was missing from the tomb. What’s more, the burial cloth was neatly rolled up in the tomb, and the women informed the disciples that they saw “a vision of angels who announced that he was alive.” The two did not know what to think.
As the story unfolds, Jesus appeared to them as they walked and conversed with them, “but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.” Jesus’ hidden presence teaches us that He is often with us, in our midst, yet we do not recognize Him. Distractions, trials, or our own misconceptions can dull our spiritual senses. We often fail to perceive His presence in the Eucharist, the Scriptures, the Church, during our prayer, and in one another.
How many times are we “overwhelmed by grief and bewildered by the events” happening in our lives?
Jesus’ loving rebuke of these two disciples was intended to wake them up: “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”
Do you need a kick in the pants?
Every time we stumble from spiritual blindness, which leads to confusion, our Lord lovingly says the same to us. We must take that rebuke with humility, acknowledging our blindness and inability to perceive His constant presence.
God will do whatever is necessary to open our eyes and minds and more importantly, our souls to see Him. Whether our journey is running away to Emmaus or hiding in a locked room, Jesus will come to jar us from our sleeplessness, fear or despondency and open our eyes to set our hearts on fire.
Jesus come walk with me, show me the things I’m missing or have forgotten because of the moment. Set my heart ablaze!