. ________________________________                     The Story of Emmaus                               (Luke 24; 13-35)*             The story of Emmaus is one that has captured the Christian imagination for centuries. On the evening of the first Easter, two disciples (many scripture scholars believe that these two were actually husband and wife) were journeying to the village of Emmaus. They were filled with confusion and disappointment that their master had been killed only a few days earlier. A stranger approaches and begins to walk with them, explaining through scripture why it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and die. This was a very different image of the awaited Messiah that was commonly held by the Jewish people of that time. When they arrive in the village, they share a meal, and the stranger breaks bread with them. With this,they immediately recognize him as the Christ. Yet, he disappears from their sight at that moment. So on fire from what they have just heard and seen, they leave and travel at night (not a safe thing to do in this time). They traveled with the fire burning in them to bring the good news to the other disciples. ____________________________      *Icon by Sister Marie Paul