(Luke 24.13-35)

On that same day, two of the disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17And he said to them, 'What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?' They stood still, looking sad. 18Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, 'Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?' 19Jesus asked them, 'What things?' They replied, 'The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see Jesus.' 25Then he said to them, 'Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?' 27Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. 28As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29But they urged him strongly, saying, 'Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.' So he went in to stay with them. 30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Jesus; and he vanished from their sight. 32They said to each other, 'Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?' 33That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34They were saying, 'The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!' 35Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread

This story is all about journeys, meals and friends - those most basic human needs that also provide some of the best things in life? Journeys, travelling to different and interesting places, food - we all appreciate a good meal, and friends - companions along the way - those with whom we can literally share or break bread (cum panis), companions to whom we can open our heart.

Cleopas and his friend, perhaps having left the rest of the disciples, were walking back to their home in Emmaus, a village about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were miserable and downcast after the events of the last few days. They knew what had happened that very morning - that Jesus' body had gone from the tomb. They had heard this news from the women and their reaction to this news may have been an early Biblical example of sexism since the first mistake they made was not to believe the women "because their words seemed to them like nonsense (11)!"

The climax of the story came when Jesus made as if to go on further from Emmaus. He would not impose himself on them - but they, with customary Middle Eastern hospitality, invited him in for food and for shelter and for companionship. They could not think of letting this stranger carry on. They had walked and talked together with the newly resurrected Jesus and had not realized who he was. It was only when they sat down for a meal together that the penny dropped and they recognized him. The story is insightful because the disciples' moment of recognition came at the point of relaxation when they all sat down to eat together.

Eating has a ritual all of its own. In Luke, meals are often associated with joy. There is the party to welcome back the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). Jesus goes to Zacchaeus' home (Luke 19 1-10). He eats with tax collectors and sinners (Luke 5:29-32). Presumably here, the disciples are full of joy and wonder as they brave the dangers of travelling at night and race back to Jerusalem where they find the other disciples and tell them their news of what had happened 'on the way', and how they recognized Jesus over their meal together.

There are evident allusions to the Eucharist and the breaking of bread where we meet Jesus in a sacramental way. Jesus was breaking bread in what was just a normal meal. It was in that very everyday act of eating a meal together, of sharing food together, of hospitality offered and received that they suddenly recognized Jesus and realized who he was. This is, in essence, what we do Sunday after Sunday but at what point did we forget that the return to life is the keynote of how we present and understand the Gospel message. For these disciples the good news was that Jesus had triumphed over death and had come back to life - despair had been turned into hope!

This good news emotionally and psychologically preceded the preaching of the cross as the means of reconciliation and forgiveness, for a reappraisal of what had been experienced as a tragedy could only emerge after a period of reflection in the light of the resurrection.

At what point did we shift the balance of the Christian message from the rising of Jesus to his death? At what point did the character of the Communion service change from a joyful celebration to a solemn memorial? At what point did forget to link the Resurrection with the Eucharist because we were so hung up on remembering the crucifixion?