Reflecting on the narrative of the experience of the disciples on the road to Emmaus in Saint Luke’s Gospel, many theologians considered it the best piece of world literature. A very particular piece that describes Jesus’ postresurrection activities. For many, the overwhelming experience of these two disciples should be considered as the masterpiece of the apparitions that occurred after Jesus’ resurrection. Of course, the same story has already been perfectly recounted by the women and some disciples. Besides the sudden catechetical instruction and the warm presence of this unknown stranger, what we retained from the text are the geographical framework of the event and the expression of hope that has motivated the life and actions of these two young disciples. It seems to me that there is a lot to learn from this story.
This is the story about two unknown disciples, Cleopas and someone else, who were on their way back home, discouraged, hopeless, and fearful, and finally joined by a stranger who journeyed with them, and the rest is history. The stranger’s approach was highlighted by his personal simplicity, accessibility, and a determination to accompany the disciples in their journey of faith. There are a couple of things we need to consider. First, these two disciples, not very well known, represent each one of us. I am trying to gently write my name down. I will eventually invite you to write yours as well. Obviously, the biblical challenge is for us to look at ourselves as we are walking on our own road to seek the Risen Lord.
The second thing is the literary form used by Saint Luke. For example, the unknown disciples spoke about their hope using the past tense, saying: “We were hoping that He would be the one to redeem Israel”. As you can understand, the past tense always expresses hopelessness, and there is no such tragic way to live our lives when we lose hope, when we speak about our hope as something that is over. How often do we speak like that, using the past tense to express our deception or our empathy? Today, we are like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, with all our downfall, probably saying the same thing: “We were hoping, we were hoping things would get better for us. Again, the past tense doesn’t really move me too far, nor do you. Here is the point. When our hopes are dead and buried, we speak in the past tense. This past tense expresses real dejection, sadness, and waste of time.
Jesus, on the road to Emmaus, helps the disciples to shift this concept of hope into something more permanent. Through the Scriptures, he moves them to what we call the ultimate hope, meaning something they rest their hearts and souls upon. Jesus is the only one who can give us that ultimate hope. There really is only one ultimate hope that you can have in and for your life. Your ultimate hope is what you ultimately believe will bring satisfaction, blessing, and happiness into your life. Only God, his kingdom, and the values of that kingdom are worthy of our ultimate hope. The call today is to make sure that our hope is in the right place and attached to the right purpose.
