Today, we hear the Emmaus account where two disciples met Jesus, listened to him and later recognized him at the breaking of the bread. Even before Jesus entered into their conversation they were speaking about him. But they were sad ( 24:17). The very good news of salvation, suffering and death of Jesus was the cause of their sadness. It is interesting that they were aware that something extraordinary was taking place. The women from their group found the tomb empty and also received a vision which said Jesus was alive. Their friends too went to the tomb and found it empty. But they were not convinced. Why? They were not actually distracted with worldly things. In fact, they were discussing about Jesus who was the word of God.

But they had their own expectations which prevented them from understanding the real meaning of this WORD.

When their personal expectations were not fulfilled they were not even willing to consider the miracle of the empty tomb. In our lives too, at times, when our expectations are not fulfilled in the way we want we might get discouraged and conclude that God does not have a solution for our problems. When the disciples allowed Jesus to speak and listened to him attentively things changed. Jesus himself being the word of God clarified the meaning of the events that took place around them from the word of God.

They listened in such a way that their hearts were burning. When we read the Word of God with full attention with such focus that our hearts burn within us we will begin to see God’s hand at work in everything that happens around us. And even when things go wrong we will be able to find strength in God through his word.

What was the result of their attention to the Word of God? They were fully ready to recognize and experience Jesus in the breaking of the bread. If we are not able to recognize and experience Jesus in the Holy Mass we need to ask ourselves how attentive we are to his word. So we need to read the scripture regularly and allow the word of God to speak to us. When we do this, every Holy Mass will be an experience of Jesus.