In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 24, we read the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. They have an encounter with the risen Jesus, but don’t recognize Him, until “he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.” What does this mean?
As Catholics, we believe that at Mass, the bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of Christ. The Eucharist. Today’s Gospel is assuredly a reference to this. The disciples recounted how “he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.” This was not some sort of magical encounter where Jesus does his best David Copperfield impression. No, this was a Sacramental encounter where their eyes were opened to see Jesus in the Eucharist. What a moment that must have been!
Have you had that moment? Statistics say that a large percentage of Catholics see the Eucharist as a symbolic representation of Jesus. How sad! Have they read this passage of Scripture? It doesn’t say that He symbolically made Himself known to them. No! He made Himself, His presence, His being, His very self known to them in the breaking of the bread! It all seems so clear – if you have ears to hear.
Father, for those who do not believe, we ask that Jesus will make Himself known in the breaking of the bread. And for those who do believe, strengthen our faith. Amen.
To go much deeper into the Church’s teaching on the Eucharist, get Gus’ hour long teaching on the Eucharist on CD or download at www.GusLloyd.com.
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