Then they said to each other,
Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?
So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them who were saying,
The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!
Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
— Luke 24 13-35
For the second day in a row, Jesus appears to his followers in a form that they do not recognize — in the form of an apparent stranger. This Gospel passage seems to be reminding us that God appears in a variety of forms and in a variety of ways.
Yesterday, the readings seemed to point out to us that we need to be careful of how we interact with each other, as God may be, and most likely is, present there. Today, our readings remind us of another way in which we can see and come to know Jesus. Through the strangers explanation of the Scriptures and how the crucified Christ fits into those, we are reminded that we will know Him through the Word. In the supper that he shares with them we are reminded that we will come to see Him recognize and be one with Him in a very intimate way as we join Him in the breaking and consumption of His Eucharistic bread.
So as we walk along our journey today completing the task that we have been called to fulfill let us keep our hearts, our minds, and our eyes open for God’s presence. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.