15 April 2020
Wednesday in the Octave of Easter
One of the great effects Isaac Newton had on modern science was his ability to find a single law or theory that would explain various phenomenon. The fall of an apple and the orbit of a planet provided two various versions of moving bodies, but Newton’s theory of gravity explained both. In today’s gospel, Jesus does for the apostles what Newton did for falling apples and orbiting planets. Jesus took all the facts and helped the Apostles make sense of what had occurred. The scene described in the Gospel of Luke provides such a vivid description that we feel as if we are just a few steps behind the apostles and Jesus, and of course, that is what Luke intended. Along the road to Emmaus, Jesus took all the pieces of history, starting with prophets and concluding with the crucifixion and explained how it all made sense. We all know why the apostles were excited, we usually become happy when things start making sense for us as well. What Jesus explained to the apostles and what became even more clarified with the coming of the Holy Spirit was the fundamental idea of direction. Where does the road to Emmaus end: At the Eucharist. Here, Luke takes us on both a theological and a physical walk and places us before the presence of Christ whose message was clear: Love God and Love your neighbor. Luke made it clear in the story of the Good Samaritan that being “neighborly” means looking out for those in need. Clarity brings joy though it does not always bring ease and relaxation. St. Ignatius understood the walk with Jesus and knew that, as the First Principle and Foundation states, men and women are created by God for God and that Christ provides both the model and means for attaining this goal. Jesus and Ignatius both pointed out that the walk may be difficult, but there is greater joy and meaning when one knows where one is going.