Are you the only one in jerusalem?

Resisting both the evidence of the women who went to the grave and the confirmation of those who had gone to verify the story of the resurrection, two disciples of Jesus felt disappointed.

They embarked on a journey to Emmaus abandoning the way of Jesus.

The darkness of good Friday and the burial in the tomb exacerbated their agony and disatisfaction. Their infidelity in abandoning easily the mission of Jesus is contrasted with the Fidelity of the women who went to the grave. Clouded by their disappointment they failed to recognize that it was the risen saviour thus they retorted when they were asked what they were discussing, Are you the only one in Jerusalem who does not know what has happened there in the last few days?

Jesus asked the question not to get information but to deepen knowledge of himself. He called their attention to facts especially in the face of apparent disappointment.

Disappointment is often due to triviality of human hopes. He started from the prophets (Moses) and explained the reality of his mission, passion, death and resurrection which culminated in the breaking of bread.

It follows the pattern of the liturgy, where the breaking of the word(liturgy of the word) leads to the breaking of bread (liturgy of the Eucharist).

What blinded the eyes of Cleopas and the other disciple was their unbelief. Because they doubted his ressurection, he concealed the joy and knowledge of his presence. After his ressurection, he was in a glorified body and so reveals himself to those who are willing and disposed in their hearts.
However, their eyes were opened after they have shown hospitality to a stranger and at the breaking of the bread.

This taking of the bread and breaking it and then giving it to them was not an ordinary act of courtesy, it was a resemblance to the last supper on the eve of his death. After the reception of the bread their closed minds and eyes were opened as did the eyes of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden when they ate the forbidden fruit.

The breaking of the bread restored their eyes and they recognized Jesus. Their faith and conviction in the ressurection became strengthened and he vanished from their presence. Realizing their folly, they bemoaned their unbelief and returned to Jerusalem in excitement to tell their experience of the risen Jesus.
PRAYER🙏🏿; May we recognize Jesus daily at the breaking of the bread at the altar of sacrifice. May we also recognize him at this period of political instability and may we be transformed by this encounter as we disseminate the news of his ressurection. Amen
May the Almighty God bless and keep you:
✝The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen
REV. FR. AMBROSE OFODILE