Posted: 5/4/2011 7:04:41 PM EDT
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May 8, 2011
First Reading: Acts of the Apostles 2:14,22-23 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 22 "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know –– 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 But God raised him up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him, `I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will dwell in hope. 27 For thou wilt not abandon my soul to Hades, nor let thy Holy One see corruption. 28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou wilt make me full of gladness with thy presence.' 29 "Brethren, I may say to you confidently of the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you see and hear. Psalm: Psalms 16:1-2,5,7-11 R. (11a) Lord, you will show us the path of life. or: R. Alleluia. Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.” O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. R. Lord, you will show us the path of life. or: R. Alleluia. I bless the LORD who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me. I set the LORD ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. R. Lord, you will show us the path of life. or: R. Alleluia. Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence; because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld, nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption. R. Lord, you will show us the path of life. or: R. Alleluia. You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. R. Lord, you will show us the path of life. or: R. Alleluia. Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:17-21 17 And if you invoke as Father him who judges each one impartially according to his deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile. 18 You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your fathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was destined before the foundation of the world but was made manifest at the end of the times for your sake. 21 Through him you have confidence in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Gospel: Luke 24:13-35 13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emma'us, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cle'opas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" 19 And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning 23 and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." 25 And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, 29 but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?" 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, 34 who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Study Resources Overview of the Gospel: * Today’s gospel takes place on Easter Sunday (as do all the resurrection appearances of Jesus that are dated in the gospels), after the appearance of Jesus to the women at the tomb (Mark 16:1-8; John 20:11-18). * · Two of Jesus’ disciples are making their way to a town called Emmaus. One of the disciples who is named, Cleopas, is thought to be the brother of Jesus’ foster-father, St. Joseph (John 19:25). Both may have been members of “the 72” sent out on mission by Jesus in Luke 10:1. * Jesus, who at first conceals his identity from them, finds them disconsolate at having their hopes dashed at recent events. That they misunderstood Jesus’ person and mission is evident by their referring to him as merely a “prophet” (verse 19). * Jesus chides them for being “slow of heart” to understand him and proceeds to lead them through salvation history, showing how his whole life was foreordained by the Old Testament. It isn’t until Jesus reveals himself in the Eucharist, however, that they truly know him for who he is. Questions: * The 1st Reading is from the first sermon preached by the Church after Pentecost (fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus). What is the main message of the sermon, especially verses 22-33? What can we learn from the confidence with which the Apostles spoke the message? * According to St. Peter in the 2nd Reading, what makes it possible to place our trust in God (verse 21)? * In the Gospel Reading, what are the disciples talking about as they walk (see verses 19-24)? What tones of voice do you hear? What hopes are dashed? What plans might they be making? How do they react to the “stranger”? * What Old Testament passages might the “stranger” have discussed with them in verses 25-27? Why did Jesus do a roundabout Bible study rather than just reveal his identity directly? Why did Jesus act as if he were going further? * Where is your “road to Emmaus”—the place where Jesus surprised you recently? What happened? Did you urge him to stay? Why or why not? * How well do you think you can explain the life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the way a person can come to know him? Who could you communicate these truths with today? |
* In the Gospel Reading, what are the disciples talking about as they walk (see verses 19-24)? What tones of voice do you hear? What hopes are dashed? What plans might they be making? How do they react to the “stranger”? After reading the Good News here a few times over, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Literally! Jesus here is not only Lord and Savior, but the merciful and forgiving "Master Teacher." Follow along with me. The two disciples are talking about Jesus' passion and all that had happened in Jerusalem that week. Quite frankly, to me it seems as though all of this had gone completely over their heads. They just don't get it. They were, how do you say "all at sea." Leaderless, without direction, without a rudder. Floundering. Imagine what happens here when Jesus realizes this. It's what's not said by Jesus .In his human nature, He could have berated the two. Gotten angry with them. Exploded and told them after all I have preached, done, and told you....and you still don't get it! Yet, He doesn't. Praise God! Look at the Lord's "Lesson Plan" here. 1. Jesus draws out the two followers' questions and uncertainties. "What seems to be the problem here?" He might have asked. 2. Jesus then listens to their recounting of the current events, the "here and now" of what happened. Notice the two only believed Jesus was a "prophet," not the Messiah. They sure were looking for the "deliverer" to redeem Israel. Nope––wasn't this guy, Jesus. He's gone now. Let's call this "dis-belief #1." 3. Then Jesus is told about how the two heard preposterous things from the women, who were actually at the empty tomb. "Dis-belief #2." 4. A mention is made that an angel spoke to the women; you can tell they really have trouble with THAT. An angel, aw, c'mon! "Dis-belief #3." 5. Then the two mention that other disciples went to the empty tomb, but found nothing. Notice these two dismiss almost everyone's recollection or testimony. Big "Dis-belief #4." I can almost hear the Lord say: "Enough already!" And He does! He says: "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! To me, it's like the Lord is saying: "Who you going to believe: all the Old Testament prophets or what's gone on before your very eyes?" And so our Lord lovingly and patiently synthesizes both: He slowly feeds them all the wisdom and insights from the Old Testament starting with Moses, and how each prophet predicted exactly what would come to pass for Messiah.He applies scripture and tradition to Himself and that He fulfilled all and He WAS, in fact, the Messiah! No doubt! Jesus taught them as they knew the Old Testament, but He was their new "testament." Weaving the old legalistic claims with his infinite love and mercy. What a great Lord and savior as well as a kind and gentle teacher. Giving these two believers bits and morsels of spiritual food, before He actually recounts feeding them with his body and blood. Once they realize who is in their midst, the two disciples finally understand. Jesus seems to say: GOT IT? GET IT? GOOD! |
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* What Old Testament passages might the “stranger” have discussed with them in verses 25-27? Why did Jesus do a roundabout Bible study rather than just reveal his identity directly? Why did Jesus act as if he were going further?
There are many passages that foretold of the Passion and Resurrection that Jesus probably used to enlighten these forlorn disciples. Psalm 22 perhaps to show what He really meant on the cross when He uttered "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Some of these we heard proclaimed during Lent, like Hosea 6:3 "on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight." On Good Friday, we hear from the book of Isaiah chapter 53 that the messiah will not be the triumphant military leader the people were hoping for. I think Jesus revealed himself this way because He wants to gently open their eyes to help them accept the Truth. Isn't this how He works in our lives most of the time? Sure, sometimes He slaps us upside the head, but mostly He doesn't intrude or impose. He waits patiently for us to wake up to Him. That is same reason why He acted as though He was going further. He's not about to impose Himself on the disciples, but rather entices the disciples. He gave them an "appetizer" by opening the Scriptures to them (the Liturgy of the Word), which left them hungry for more (the Liturgy of the Eucharist). He wanted them to invite in, not to force Himself upon them. Kind of like that famous depiction of Jesus in front of the door with no door knob. |