At Table and On the Road (Easter III)

This Sunday we hear the story of Jesus' post-resurrection appearance on the road to Emmaus.

Luke tells us that Cleopas is returning home with an un-named companion. They have witnessed Jesus' passion and death, but have not yet heard the Good News of His resurrection.

In his account of the crucifixion, John tells us that Mary, the wife of Cleopas, was with Jesus' mother at the foot of the cross.

Tradition tells us that Cleopas was the brother of St Joseph. His wife then is Mary's sister-in-law, comforting her in her anguish.

In this context then, a number of biblical scholars suggest that the two disciples making their way home on the road to Emmaus are Cleopas and Mary, his wife.

How remarkable is it then that the two who did not know Jesus on the road are His own uncle and aunt, so shrouded are they by their grief?

When Jesus accepts their invitation to stay with them and share bread at their table, it would hardly have been the first time. But they have not yet known Him in his glory. It is only when they see Him in this most intimate and familiar of settings that they recognise Him.

Luke says, 'He took the bread and said the blessing; then He broke it and handed it to them.'

These words would have been as familiar to the early Christian community as they are to us. They are the words of Paul in his letter to the Corinthians, which predates Luke's Gospel by a generation. And they are the words upon which the institution narrative in the eucharistic prayer is based. So why does Luke repeat them here?

This story is an important eye-witness account of the risen Jesus upon whom our faith is based. But it is also a lesson for those who still seek Jesus today. That the more often we share in the meal of the Eucharist with Him, the more we will recognise his presence in our own lives, and the closer we will walk with Him each day.

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