Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - In the account of the meeting between the Risen Lord and the disciples of Emmaus (cfr Lk 24,13-35), one is deeply moved by the great humanity which shines through it. The encounter, as we read in the Gospel of Luke, takes place somewhere along a road running from Jerusalem to Emmaus. The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, commenting this Gospel passage, recalled that the place “has never been identified with certainty ... and this is not without its own evocativeness, for it allows us to think that Emmaus actually represents every place: and that the road that leads there, is the path of every Christian, indeed of every man and woman" (Benedict XVI, 6 April 2008).
Precisely the disconsolate and saddened hearts of the two disciples from Emmaus, make us think of the difficulties which can be met on the path of faith walked by the Christian. The Pope underlines this, noting the power of the expression “we had hoped”, which comes from the lips of those two disciples when they are joined by the mysterious traveller, who, only at the end, shows himself to be the Risen Jesus.
“This verb in the past tense says everything: we believed, we followed, we hoped…, but now it is all over. Even Jesus of Nazareth, who had demonstrated in word and deed that he was a powerful prophet, has failed, and we are left disappointed. This drama of the disciples of Emmaus appears to mirror the situation of many Christians in our day. It would seem that the hope of faith has failed. Faith itself is in crisis because of negative experiences which make us feel abandoned by the Lord. However this road to Emmaus on which we are walking, can become a path of purification and maturation of our believing in God” (Benedict XVI, 6 April 2008).
As the Holy Father teaches, these two disciples thought Jesus had failed. They had lost all hope that he would build the Kingdom, overcoming the world, as he had promised. In their eyes, Jesus could never win, because he had been defeated by death. The hope, like the faith in their hearts, had been extinguished, it was spent.
How often this happens in the life of Christians: it takes little to make faith retreat, showing itself to be far feebler than we had imagined. How often for example, our thoughts go to the past, recent or remote, when we lived something wonderful with God or for God, while we experience in our heart with this memory, that typical nostalgia, permeated with sadness, due to a present which no longer hopes that the beauty of a relationship with God can be relived. And so, instead of saying “it will be good again”, we stop and say “it was good”, as if to say “ it will never happen again”!
How many journeys like the walk to Emmaus, the Christian life holds for us, but precisely this Gospel should console us for, as the Supreme Pontiff recalls, the Lord is always our travelling companion, “ to rekindle the warmth of faith and hope in our hearts and to break the bread of eternal life. (…)And so the meeting with the Risen Christ that is possible even today gives us a deeper and more authentic faith tempered, so to speak, by the fire of the Paschal Event; a faith that is robust because it is nourished not by human ideas but by the Word of God and by his Real Presence in the Eucharist.” (Benedict XVI, 6 Aril 2008).
Even if along the way for a time we fail to recognise Him, it is important to believe that Jesus is always with us, as he promised (cfr. Mt 28, 20), and that he walks with us on our way, in this trial. Later, when the trial has achieved its purpose, which is to render ever purer and deeper our faith in God, we will recognise Him. At that moment, thanks to the pain of purifying trial, and with the help of grace, our hearts and minds will be sufficiently open and He will make Himself known in many different ways and we will understand that, it is He: “it is the Lord”!
Today the Holy Father, repeats to us Simon Peter's own call to the first Christian community: “ This is a great joy to you, even though for a short time yet you must bear all sorts of trials; so that the worth of your faith, more valuable than gold, which is perishable even if it has been tested by fire, may be proved-to your praise and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1Pt 1,7).
In times like ours, when our faith is continually challenged by a culture of doubt and self-sufficiency, let us allow ourselves to be guided by the Lord Jesus who, through the steady hand of His Vicar on earth, indicates “the goal of your faith, that is, the salvation of your souls!" (1 Pt 1,9)
In times of trial, may we never fail to confidently invoke the Blessed Virgin Mary: “ In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let not her name depart from your lips, never suffer it to leave your heart. And that you may more surely obtain the assistance of her prayer, neglect not to walk in her footsteps. With her for (your) guide, you shall never go astray; while invoking her, you shall never lose heart; So long as she is in your mind, you are safe from deception; while she holds your hand, you cannot fall; under her protection you have nothing to fear; if she walks before you, you shall not grow weary; if she shows you favour, you shall reach the goal....” (Saint Bernard). (Agenzia Fides 9/4/2008; righe 56, parole 879)
