Jesus opens them to a greater fullness. They reconnect to the numinous, to the mystery that delights them.
Here they move from their own thoughts about what has happened into a stance of wonder and desire.
These are characteristics of soul- full people.
These are the signs of the Soul recognising that for which it longs
Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognised him; but he had vanished from their sight.
Ritual and symbolic action – Soul Language – also the sign of the community to which the disciples belonged.
Then their eyes are opened, though long before this Soulhad already seen -when their ‘heart’s burnt inside them.’
Then they said to each other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?'
Mission – What I Cannot Contain
They set out that instant and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven assembled together with their companions, who said to them, 'Yes, it is true. The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.' Then they told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread.
They are so filled with joy they cannot contain themselves.
Six Hours with Jesus
The Road to Emmaus. Luke 24:13-35
That very same day, two of them
It is suggested that these two may be husband and wife. One we know (our self) and the other is unknown but present (the unknown self).
were on their way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem.
Emmaus is on the road to Jaffa, about six hours' walk.
They are on their way.
They are leaving Jerusalem.
They are going to Emmaus which is seven miles away. In the Hebrew, (Sheh'-bah) seven is from a root word meaning completeness or fullness. Seven denotes rest because all has been completed in fullness. It is from this same word that Sabbath, the day of rest comes. As well as this seven seems also to be the number of God's seal – sealed with the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit. They are on their way towards fullness and rest and the gift of the Spirit.
and they were talking together about all that had happened.
Imagine the conversation – the emotions. Going through the facts, trying to understand the events. Interpreting the meaning of what happened, especially the more unknown, mysterious and paradoxical things. Coming to conclusions, speculations, judgements, courses of action. Trying to make sense of it all.
The invitation of the paschal mystery is to listen and receive.
It is aninvitation to the contemplative, waiting place.
Delete your need to compare
Delete your need to know
Delete your need to understand
(fromJoy’s Way by Brugh Joy)
Encounter – Meeting but not Seeing
Now as they talked this over, Jesus himself came up and walked by their side; but something prevented them from recognising him.
Why do they not recognise Jesus? What is it that prevents them?
Is there something in the way that obscures their vision?
Ever not noticed something because your mind is so caught up in something else? In their mindhad they pre-determined notions about Jesus, his death, and what resurrection meant?
Perhaps it never occurred to them they would meet him personally?
Was it possible that Jesus was different in appearance but only to the ego-mind?
He said to them, 'What matters are you discussing as you walk along?' They stopped short, their faces downcast. Then one of them, called Cleopas, answered him, 'You must be the only is person staying in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have been happening there these last few days'.
They respond with presumption and judgement about this person they have met along the way.
Intimacy – Feeling the Experience
'What things?' he asked.
Jesus always invites us to go deeper, beyond the ‘obvious’, beyond the presumptions, to see more. They go back to their list of known facts (Notice the early creedal formula).
'All about Jesus of Nazareth' they answered 'who proved he was a great prophet by the things he said and did in the sight of God and of the whole people; and how our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and had him crucified. Our own hope had been that he would be the one to set Israel free.
They drop down into their longings and hopes, and then get to what astounds them – what their minds cannot hold. What of my experience of God can I not hold?
And this is not all: two whole days have gone by since it all happened; and some women from our group have astounded us: they went to the tomb in the early morning, and when they did not find the body, they came back to tell us they had seen a vision of angels who declared he was alive. Some of our friends went to the tomb and found everything exactly as the women had reported, but of him they saw nothing.'
Conversion – I’ll Never Be the same again
Then he said to them, 'You foolish men! So slow to believe the full message of the prophets!
So Jesus takes them where their own minds cannot take them.
Was it not ordained that the Christ should suffer and so enter into his glory?' Then, starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, he explained to them the passages throughout the scriptures that were about himself.
When they drew near to the village to which they were going, he made as if to go on; but they pressed him to stay with them.
'It is nearly evening' they said 'and the day is almost over.' So he went in to stay with them.