A final thought from the end of yesterday's post, before moving on: sometimes he corrects us despite our foolish wishes.
And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" - (25-26)
They clearly did not understand this, but they also clearly did not truly understand that Jesus was the Christ. Surely they would not have seen the Messiah put to death! And they did not yet believe that he was risen. Oh, yeah, his tomb was empty, but that wasn't nearly the same thing. In fact, I wonder whether some of the disciples may have been wondering if others of the disciples were plotting to fake his resurrection, as "the Jews" feared they would do.
But even if they had thought prior to his crucifixion that Jesus was the Christ, his awful death must have obliterated that hope.
And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, - (27-28)
We begin to see the outline of our Mass take shape. First, the gathering together. Next the sharing of the Word. I wonder how long they were walking together? There are so many passages from the Hebrew scriptures which we now understand as being applicable to Jesus, and he touched on "all the scriptures."
but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. - (29)
These words form part of the beginning of evening prayer. The interpretation of "evening" in those days may have included late afternoon.
When we invite Jesus in, he comes.
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