There are only a few people identified by name in Emmaus story, which we have heard in the Gospel of Luke. I would like to focus with you on three of the persons named:
Our Lord Jesus, Cleopas, and Simon, also called Peter. I would also like to draw some parallels with our own lives, and with our Church.
In the Gospel account, Our Lord Jesus joins two disciples walking to Emmaus. We know that Emmaus was situated near Jerusalem, but we do not know the exact location. The two disciples are on their way, disheartened and sad, because their Teacher and Master was put to a shameful death. Now, they are walking away from the community of the apostles and disciples, they are putting distance between themselves and the other followers of Christ. The two disciples have turned their backs on their fellows, and on Simon. One of them is named Cleopas, and early Christian tradition identifies him as the brother of St. Joseph, the foster-father of Christ (Ignatius Study Bible New Testament, Scott Hahn ed., 2010, pg. 154). He must have been a prominent member of the group of disciples. We do not know the motives of Cleopas and his companion: were they walking away, only to come back later? Or was this a definitive break with the person of Jesus of Nazareth, his teaching, and his followers. We know not. In their grief, discouragement, melancholy, and amidst their unfulfilled expectations, Our Lord joins them and walks with them, explaining the Scriptures, slowly, methodically, and convincingly. At one point Our Lord chastises them for being slow to believe, but He does not leave them behind. The turning point of the story comes as Cleopas and his fellow traveller make a momentous decision: they ask the mysterious stranger to stay with them. “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over”. “Stay with us – zostań z nami – mane nobis”. Then, they recognize the Lord, in the breaking of the bread. I believe that we too, in our spiritual life, at watershed moments, will need to make these firm decisions, which will bring us closer to Christ.
In the ancient world, you usually did not travel at night. Night was when brigands, robbers, and wild animals were out on the road. Despite this, Cleopas and his fellow disciple rush back to Jerusalem, where they find out that the Risen Lord has appeared to Simon. Let us spend a few moments reflecting on Simon. Simon is the head of the disciples, Simon is the first one to have professed Jesus as the Messiah. Simon is also the one who, not that long ago, denied his Lord and Master three times, and then wept bitterly. Simon’s behaviour has compromised him, in the eyes of Christ, but also in the eyes of other disciples. And yet, our Risen Lord seeks Simon out. As St. John Chrysostom interprets it, Christ “is first seen by Peter, that he who first confessed Christ should first deserve to see His resurrection, and also because he had denied Him He wished to see him first, to console him, lest he should despair” (Catena Aurea, vol. 3, pg. 569). With that consolation, Simon is rejuvenated, and strengthened in the faith. With that consolation Simon is also rehabilitated in the eyes of Christ, and in the eyes of the community of the disciples.
Some conclusions for you, as we come to the end of this reflection on Our Lord, Cleopas, Simon and the walk to Emmaus. First, it is after meeting the Risen Christ that the two disciples rush back to the Church, they return to the sheepfold. The community of the Church gives us the opportunity to meet the Risen Lord. Put in other words, it is in communion with the Church that we will encounter the Christ, alive and risen. In this communion, the figure of Peter looms large. Simon Peter is the first among the disciples. He was the one who was compromised, but was still consoled and sought out by Christ Himself. In the near future, Simon Peter will affirm his love for Christ three times, and will ultimately give his life as a martyr for Christ. Simon Peter, whose office continues in the Church today. If we allow ourselves to be separated from the Church, or from Peter, then we will be easy prey to brigands, robbers, and wild animals, under the guise of ideologies, fashions, and schisms. The sheepfold offers protection, both physical and spiritual, under Christ the Good Shepherd, who guides His sheep, and strengthens the pastors of souls. So, let us reconsider our walk to Emmaus, and turn back to Jerusalem.
Today, we also observe the feast day of St. Adalbert – bishop and martyr. Św. Wojciech –who with Our Lady, Queen of Poland, and St. Stanislaus, is one of the three chief patron saints of Poland. He evangelized the Slavic peoples before the year 1000, sowed the seeds of faith, and was martyred for his efforts. He is depicted on one of our stain-glass windows. Św. Wojciechu, we ask for your intercession. And may Mary, the Mother of the Risen Lord, keep us always close to her Immaculate Heart.
(Fr. Paweł Ratajczak, OMI, April 23, 2023)