11.— Jesus appears to the Two Disciples.

Jesus appears to the Two Disciples.

Read St. Luke xxiv. 16-19.

[16] But their eyes were held, that they should not know him. [17] And he said to them: What are these discourses that you hold one with another as you walk, and are sad? [18] And the one of them, whose name was Cleophas, answering, said to him: Art thou only a stranger to Jerusalem, and hast not known the things that have been done there in these days? [19] To whom he said: What things? And they said: Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet, mighty in work and word before God and all the people;

1. At the very time that these disciples were giving up all for lost and lamenting that their hopes were dashed to the ground forever, Jesus was close by them, drawing nearer to them at every step. So it is with us. Just when we are most down-hearted, and all seems black, and dark, and hopeless, He is close at hand, waiting to manifest Himself, with a long series of blessings to bestow upon us and consolations to cheer our hearts. A time of darkness is almost always a sign of light and joy hard by.

2. Jesus did not at once reveal Himself to the two disciples going to Emmaus, but joined Himself to them under the guise of a stranger. Their eyes were held, that they should not know Him. Though they loved Him dearly, and sorrowed bitterly for His sufferings and death, yet their slowness to believe all that Christ had told them, and all that the prophets had foretold, threw a veil over their eyes. How many now, faithful servants of God, fail to realize the love of God and His presence with them, because they are stubborn and slow to believe!

3. Our Lord begins with asking them why they are sad. Did He not know? Yes, He knew well enough; but He likes us to tell Him our troubles. We do not do this half enough. He never tires of hearing of our sorrows, trials, difficulties, temptations. He is so pleased to listen!