He asked, “What is it you are talking about?” The two stood still, looking sad. Then the one named Cleophas answered, “Why, it seems you are the only traveler to Jerusalem who doesn’t know what has happened there these past few days.” And he asked, “What is it?”
     They replied, “It is about Jesus of Nazareth. He was a prophet, you know, mighty in word and deed before God and the people. 20 But the chief priests and our rulers sentenced him to death. They handed him over to be crucified. We had hoped that he would redeem Israel.
     It is now the third day since all this took place. It is also true that some women of our group have disturbed us. When they went to the tomb at dawn, they did not find his body; and they came and told us that they had had a vision of angels, who said that Jesus was alive. Some of our people went to the tomb and found everything just as the women had said, but they did not find a body in the tomb.”
     He said to them, “How dull you are, how slow of understanding! Is the message of the prophets too difficult for you to understand? Is it not written that the Christ should suffer all this, and then enter his glory?” Then starting with Moses, and going through the prophets, he explained to them everything in the Scriptures concerning himself.
     As they drew near the village they were heading for, Jesus made as if to go farther. But they prevailed upon him, “Stay with us, for night comes quickly. The day is now almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When they were at table, he took the bread, said a blessing, broke it, and gave each a piece.
     Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; but he vanished out of their sight. And they said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us when he was talking to us on the road and explaining the Scriptures?”
They immediately set out and re turned to Jerusalem. There, they found the Eleven and their companions gathered together. They were greeted by these words: “Yes, it is true, the Lord is risen! He has appeared to Simon!” Then the two told what had happened on the road to Emmaus, and how Jesus had made himself known, when he broke bread with them.

REFLECTION:
    The road to Emmaus is a picture of our own road in this life. We too like the two disciples move away from Life as represented by Jerusalem, for going towards Emmaus is moving away from Jerusalem. Yet the source of life does not allow us easy escape. He finds us and walks with us in our foolishness. Jesus as a mysterious stranger walked with the two and slowly eased their doubts and confusion with regards to Jesus of Nazareth. He cited from their Scriptures, He explained to them its meaning, and then their hearts burned, their minds became illumined. And all that they felt inside were tied up together in the Eucharistic meal where their eyes were opened and they finally recognized the Lord. So in this journey that we call life, we are never alone. The source of life does not abandon us easily. He will walk with us if He has too.
     "If today you hear His words, harden not your heart."