Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish

FR MICHAEL BIBLICAL IMAGERY

(Fr Michael Boakye Yeboah: Vice Rector of St Gregory Seminary, Kumasi-Ghana)

EMMAUS

            The name Emmaus is a transliteration of the Hebrew word for “warm spring.” In today’s Gospel Cleopas and an unnamed disciple of Jesus met the risen Lord when they were going to a village called Emmaus. The location of Emmaus is not certain. Josephus sometimes gives Emmaus as the name of Hammath (Joshua 19:35), south of Tiberias. But how can we trust the evidence that Josephus tends in; he is known for his biasness towards Jesus, the Christian “sect”, and any literature that bears the name of Christianity.

            Historians are aware of another source that gives Emmaus as a village that was 23km west of Jerusalem. It is first mentioned when Judah the Maccabee defeated a Syrian army in 164 BCE (cf. 1 Macc. 3:27-4:25). The Roman general Varus destroyed the site in 4 BCE in revenge of an uprising. During the Jewish War of 66-70 CE Emmaus was the capital of a toparchy and the headquarters of John the Essene. Later this village will inhabit a mixed population of Jews, Samaritans, pagans, and Christians. It has earned its name in history not because of an uprising that happened there, or the pride it earned during the Maccabean era or as the headquarters of the reign of John the Essene; it earned its indelible place in history because of the Emmaus walk as reported to us by the inspired writer, Luke.

            In the wondrous story of the disciples on their way to Emmaus, we are caught up in a dialogue which is intertwined with disappointments, failure and reassurance. The disciples got their facts totally wrong, for at no time did Jesus tell his disciples that he will help them overthrow the dictatorial rule of the Roman government. The disciple’s disappointment was not about whether he rose from the death as he promised but on the question on why he failed to live up to their dreams. And because of this they saw his whole mission as a failure that is why the reports from the women and some of Apostles that he had risen made no impression on them. In their disappointment, they decided to go their own way, leaving the rest in Jerusalem – what a shame. Anyway, at times human beings can act like that in life.

            This attitude of the two disciples of Jesus is lived by so many Christians today. Some do not go to Church to discern the will of God in their lives but go there with an agenda the Lord has to fulfill at all cost, and if their prayers and wishes are not answered they see Jesus’ power as a failure in their lives. The Catholicism we grew up in was a Catholicism that is centered on seeking the will of God in all circumstances including COVID-19, but some Catholics are living like non-Catholics.

            In their doubts and disappointments, Jesus did not punish them for their unbelief but just called them fools – and they deserve that. Jesus took the opportunity re-catechize them and bring them back to faith in him.

            When they arrived at the village the two disciples did something that was noble and is worth emulating. Jesus wanted to move on but they welcomed him to their home. Their hospitality was rewarded when Jesus shown them that he is the bread of life and he is truly risen. They experienced something beyond words and inked their lives and accounts into the annals of history. They were the first to witness a full Mass, after the resurrection of Jesus. In every Mass, there must be the celebration of the Word and the celebration of the Eucharist. They were privileged for Jesus himself the Eternal High Priest to preside over Mass; preach the Word of God to them and break bread with them at the table of the Eucharist. God bless you all as you follow Mass on TV during these unusual times, though you may not have the physical Communion to receive, the reception of spiritual Communion is also good. May you also receive your blessings as you participate spiritually at “TV” Masses.