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Can I see a show of hands, for everyone who is familiar with this gospel story? It truly is a beautiful gospel. And for many, I suppose a favorite. Now who can tell me the chapter and verse? You don’t have to know the Chapter and verse to know scripture. In fact the original manuscripts didn’t have chapter or verse, this was added later to help reference scripture in the Bible. Some say Catholics are not that familiar with scripture. I say we know the story, we may not be able to tell you chapter and verse, but we know for certain what is the word of God.
Just as Peter quotes the psalm in his sermon about Jesus' resurrection. But Psalm 16 is more than an argument drawn from the Old Testament to prove the resurrection. It is a profession of faith that the same life after death granted Jesus will be given to us. We, too, can "[abide] in confidence," for God will not abandon our "[souls] to the netherworld" or our bodies to "corruption." As Peter points out, the resurrection of Jesus is the source of our own hope (second reading).
We deal with normal human doubts and misunderstandings about the mystery of the resurrection (gospel), and at the same time we sing with certainty (Lord, you will show us the path of life psalm). Doubt and faith co-mingle, but as we encounter the risen Christ in the Eucharist, in prayer and conversation, in our openness to strangers on our way, the "path of life" becomes clear as day. We discover that the resurrection is real, and that it is ours.
Luke’s story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus begins with hopelessness and leads up to an ecstatic experience of being fired up with the love of the risen Christ.
How many times have we allowed ourselves this same experience, we start by thinking the worst, we don’t give hope a chance?
As the disciples discuss what has taken place over the past three days, they are opening the door to despair. Sorrow clouds their vision, cutting them off from the very person for whom they are grieving. Jesus is right there, by their side. But they cannot bring themselves to “dwell in hope.” They don't even recognize him. They miss the big picture: "Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to be1ieve all that the prophets spoke!"
Scripture reveals all this to them, they should have known.
For those of us who have lost a grandparent, parent or child, husband or wife, brother or sister, or a dear friend; we know how hard it is to believe that our loved one remains with us after death. Skepticism weakens us, sapping the strength it takes to practice the virtue of hope.
Whatever is going on in our lives right now, whether we are sad or afraid or angry, know that Jesus walks by our side. The doubting disciples call us to overcome skepticism by “dwelling in hope.” They call us to recognize the stranger at our table as the risen Lord.
If we close ourselves off from strangers, those who are unlike us, or even those who oppose us, we miss the opportunity to recognize Jesus in the table fellowship at which he so often revealed himself. We miss the opportunity to draw others to the Eucharistic table where they will be nourished.
The transformed disciples call us to be witnesses who set hearts on-fire with the love of Christ. Imagine how different this story would be if Cleopas and his partner had stayed at home, hugging the memory of that golden moment with Jesus, keeping it to themselves. Not opening their home to a stranger.
But that couldn’t be. The two disciples had been radically changed by their encounter with Jesus. They could not continue as they were or where they were. They set out by night to walk the seven miles back to Jerusalem in order to warm the hearts of others by the fire Jesus had ignited in their hearts. There was no delay, it was evening, dinner was over, they didn’t say we will rest and leave at daybreak. No, they set out at once to spread the good news.
We who know Jesus in the breaking of the bread are likewise called to be his witnesses to those who are lacking hope, who struggle to believe, who have removed themselves from his life-giving presence. Jesus counts on us to go the extra mile.
In this Easter season we celebrate the risen Lord. Are we living in hope, nurturing our faith, and gladly sharing it with those who need to encounter Jesus alive in us?