A reading from the gospel according to Luke 24:13-35:

13 That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus,
14 and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred.
15 And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them,
16 but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast.
18 One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?”
19 And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,
20 how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him.
21 But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place.
22 Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning
23 and did not find his Body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive.
24 Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.”
25 And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!
26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”
27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther.
29 But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them.
31 With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight.
32 Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?”
33 So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them
34 who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!”
35 Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Reflection: Jesus Reveals Himself to two Disciples

1. We are on a journey and it is full of disappointments. We want to escape, to forget, and run away. Sometimes, we just want to go back to where we have been before, where our comfort zones are.

2. Jesus takes the initiative and walk with us. He always does because He loves us so much.

3. We don’t recognize him due to our sins and pride (psychological or spiritual). Many times, we are just too busy but Jesus will silently and patiently reveal to us the scripture and answer our questions.

4. In our desperation, we invite Him to our heart and to our home as we ask Him to “Stay with us”.

5. Jesus has given even his body to become food for us. Imagine receiving Him and He is distributed to every cell in our body. Truly, we become one with Him.

6. At every meal in our home when we say our blessing, we pray that Jesus may open our eyes and allow us to recognize Him or discern His presence.

7. When we invite and receive Him, we are filled with peace and joy. Like the men at Emmaus, let us be in hurry to share this wonderful gift with everyone.

*****

After Jesus was crucified and buried, some of His disciples perhaps thought that their hopes and dreams were also buried with Him. Disappointed, they decided to go back to their homes and rebuild their lives. The gospel reading above cites two of them. They were on the road to Emmaus. As they were walking, they discussed the events of the Passover week including the testimony of Mary Magdalene and others who saw the empty tomb. Out of nowhere, Jesus appeared to them and started talking about the scriptures.

Although they did not yet recognize Jesus, there was something that made their hearts pound and burn with fire. That is the Word of God. Saint Paul says: “Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow.” (Heb. 4:12) When we listen to the Holy Scripture with openness, our hearts will be full of joy.

Then the night came and Jesus was invited to their home. As they were having dinner, Jesus blessed the food and with that, the eyes of the disciples were opened and they recognized Him. Ah, first they listened to the Scripture then the breaking of the bread happened and the recognition followed.

Let us pray that we too may recognize the presence of Jesus when we listen to the Word of God and partake of His supper in the Eucharist.

*****

As we continue to contemplate the resurrection events, we come to see how Jesus chose to make known of Himself to ordinary people and ordinary situations. He could have revealed His resurrected body to powerful people of the land or to a great crowd in a dramatic manner so that everyone could see and not doubt His coming back to life.

After appearing to Mary Magdalene, Jesus accompanies two of His disciples on the road to Emmaus. The gospel reading above tells us that these disciples already heard the report of Mary Magdalene as well as Peter and John who have seen the empty tomb. Yet, these disciples were still downcast when they should be rejoicing. In short, they were going out of Jerusalem with a heavy heart due to dashed hopes. Then Jesus appears on the scene and began to discuss the scripture. Their heavy hearts start to be set on fire.

As we can see, Jesus did not yet show Himself to His closest friends, the apostles. Not yet. He is revealing Himself slowly but surely, starting with ordinary and unknown followers.

Slowly but surely. Perhaps we take note of this. Many people have heard of Jesus. They have heard of Easter Sunday. Maybe they have heard of testimonies of believers on how Jesus worked miracles in their lives. Yet, they remain uncommitted or worse unbelievers. Let us not be dishearten. The story above should remind us that it is Jesus who takes the initiative. We continue to pray for them that they may encounter Jesus on their own “road to Emmaus”.

Slowly but surely, Jesus will allow us to know Him personally as we walk on this earth. Slowly but surely, Jesus will be revealed to all people. Slowly but surely, the kingdom He established will be completed. Let us be patient.

*****

“Hearts on Fire: Finding Jesus on the Journey”

Weary and bewildered, the two disciples of Jesus are walking a dusty road to Emmaus. The crucifixion has shattered their hope. Jesus, the one they believed would redeem Israel, has been killed and though rumors of resurrection are stirring, their faith is dimmed by disappointment. But it’s in this moment, in their confusion and sorrow, that the risen Jesus draws near.

They don’t recognize Him at first. Isn’t that how life often goes? We journey through seasons of pain or doubt, and we don’t realize that Jesus is walking right beside us. He meets us in our questions, in our fears, in our broken expectations, not with condemnation, but with companionship.

As they walk, Jesus listens. He hears their hearts, their confusion, and their grief. Then, beginning with Moses and the prophets, He explains how all of Scripture pointed to Himself. He brings light to their darkness, not by changing their circumstances immediately, but by helping them see God’s plan through the lens of truth.

Sometimes the miracle isn’t in the removal of pain, but in the presence of the One who walks with us through it.

The disciples reach Emmaus and invite this “stranger” to stay with them. And it’s there, in the breaking of bread, that their eyes are opened. They see Him. Jesus is alive! He was with them all along.

Their reaction? They don’t sit in comfort or bask in the moment. They rise and rush back to Jerusalem. Though it’s late and the road is long, they have to share what they’ve seen. “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road?” they say. Their hearts, once heavy, are now ablaze with hope.

This story is a reminder that Jesus often comes to us in the ordinary: in a walk, in a conversation, in a shared meal. He meets us on the road of life, not always with immediate answers, but with a presence that changes everything.

If you’re in a season of confusion or waiting, know this: Jesus is closer than you think. He walks with you even when you don’t recognize Him. He listens with patience. He speaks truth to your soul. And in moments that may seem small like a word of Scripture, a song, a friend’s encouragement, He reveals Himself.

Your Emmaus moment may be just around the corner.

The disciples’ story teaches us that every road, no matter how weary, can become sacred when Jesus joins us on the journey. It reminds us that the resurrection isn’t just a historical fact; it’s a present reality. Jesus is alive, and He is still drawing near.

So let our hearts burn with the hope that He is not done with our stories. Let us walk with expectancy. Let us invite Him to stay. Let us break bread with Him through prayers, through Scripture, through community. And when He reveals Himself, we don’t keep it to ourselves. We rise and go to tell others. Let us be the messengers of resurrection hope.

Because once we’ve met the risen Christ, the road ahead is never the same.

You may also watch the video version below.