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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.
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* Icon by Sister Marie Paul
