are the only traveler to Jerusalem who doesn’t know what has happened there these past few days.” And he asked, “What is it?” They replied, “It is about Jesus
of Nazareth. He was a prophet, you know, mighty in word and deed before God and the people. But the chief priests and our rulers sentenced him to death. They
handed him over to be crucified. We had hoped that he would redeem Israel. It is now the third day since all this took place. It is also true that some women of our
group have disturbed us. When they went to the tomb at dawn, they did not find his body; and they came and told us that they had had a vision of angels, who said
that Jesus was alive. (…) He said to them, “How dull you are, how slow of understanding! Is the message of the prophets too difficult for you to understand? Is it not
written that the Christ should suffer all this, and then enter his glory?” (…) As they drew near the village they were heading for, Jesus made as if to go farther. But
they prevailed upon him, “Stay with us, for night comes quickly. The day is now almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When they were at table, he took the
bread, said a blessing, broke it, and gave each a piece. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; but he vanished out of their sight. And they said to
one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us when he was talking to us on the road and explaining the Scriptures?” They immediately set out and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and their companions gathered together. They were greeted by these words: “Yes, it is true, the Lord is risen! He has appeared to Simon!” Then the two told what had happened on the road to Emmaus, and how Jesus had made himself known, when he broke bread with them.

Reflection:

In the context of today’s first reading, where Peter and John
heal a paralytic, this anecdote is revealing:
Thomas Aquinas once called on Pope Innocent II when
the latter was counting out a large sum of money. “You
see, Thomas,” said the Pope, “the church can no longer
say, ‘Silver and gold have I none.’” “True, holy father,”
was the reply; “neither can she now say, ‘Rise and walk.’”
(F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, pp. 77-78) “What is the true
treasure of the Church?” is a wrong question. The sole treasure of
the Church is not a “what” but a “who”: Jesus Christ. The disciples
who walked to Emmaus realized it. We too must, before it gets
too late and awfully dark.

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