Meditations On The Gospel Of Luke For The FamilySample

"MEDITATION 20: Two Disciples on the Road” Seeing and believing are two verbs that appear together in all the accounts of the resurrection of the Lord. But we must admit that the old saying, “Seeing is believing” does not always seem to be fulfilled as we might expect. The text from Luke’s Gospel we read in our meditation is one example of the peculiar way in which sight and hearing can relate to each other. The story is simple. In the middle of a conversation in which they exchange their disappointment at the events they have witnessed in Jerusalem, Jesus joins two disciples. Their eyes do not recognize him, nor do their ears understand the explanations he gives to reveal the hidden meaning of his death on the cross. Later, they would recall the burning of their hearts in those moments. But on the way, not even Jesus’ words can lead them to understand and see reality under the light of faith. It is only when they sit at table for supper and Jesus “acts,” that all the scattered pieces of Jesus’ discourse come together and ”their eyes are opened” (24:31). It is only then that they understand the meaning of the events and, at last, recognize the risen Lord close to them. The words Luke uses to describe Jesus’ actions, take, bread, bless, break, give (24:30), are the same we find in the multiplication of bread and fish (9:16) and in the Last Supper (2:19). Did the two disciples recognize Jesus because they had been present at one of these two events? Is Luke purposely referencing the signs used in the Eucharistic celebrations of his time? We cannot know. In fact, just as in the two previous events (see 9:11 and 22:21-38), Jesus’ words and actions go together -- words and signs, to make him present amidst his disciples, then and now. Thomas wanted to see; we want to see, we need to see. But neither Jesus’ words (pronounced by him personally or transmitted to us by his witnesses), will ever be enough to discover him. Only the living words that transform our common reality into the bread of communion can make Jesus appear before our eyes. The story ends where it had begun: in Jerusalem. They had left the town in sorrow; now they return with a message of joy. Rev. Fr. Mariano Perrón, Roman Catholic priest, Archdiocese of Madrid, Spain