Week 3
Having Our Eyes Opened on the Road
Part 1: Scripture
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (24:24-31)
(New American Bible translation with footnotes, copied to here from USCCB Books of the Bible https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/24)
(New American Bible translation with footnotes, copied to here from USCCB Books of the Bible https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/24)
The Appearance on the Road to Emmaus. (continued)
24 Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.”
25 And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!
26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer* these things and enter into his glory?”
27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther.
29 But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them.
31 With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight.
24 Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.”
25 And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!
26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer* these things and enter into his glory?”
27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther.
29 But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them.
31 With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight.
* [24:26] That the Messiah should suffer…: Luke is the only New Testament writer to speak explicitly of a suffering Messiah (Lk 24:26, 46; Acts 3:18; 17:3; 26:23). The idea of a suffering Messiah is not found in the Old Testament or in other Jewish literature prior to the New Testament period, although the idea is hinted at in Mk 8:31–33. See notes on Mt 26:63 and 26:67–68.
REFLECTION:
In what ways has coming to understand the scriptures opened your eyes to know and recognize the Lord in events or people around you?
In what ways has coming to understand the scriptures opened your eyes to know and recognize the Lord in events or people around you?
Read The Journey to Emmaus: A Model for Educators, by Ramon Antonio A. Aldana
Within the article, the author reflects: "But Jesus, does not only hear the concerns of his two disciples. Towards the middle of the journey, Jesus begins explaining scriptures to them. He enlightens them. He gives their experiences a new meaning.
"In the field of education, one of the important role that teachers have is to help young people find meaning in their life experiences. The wisdom of educators could hopefully shed light on some of the important questions young people have."
REFLECTION:
In what ways has learning Bible stories or Bible passages helped your learners to connect their faith to life events that have happened to them?
Within the article, the author reflects: "But Jesus, does not only hear the concerns of his two disciples. Towards the middle of the journey, Jesus begins explaining scriptures to them. He enlightens them. He gives their experiences a new meaning.
"In the field of education, one of the important role that teachers have is to help young people find meaning in their life experiences. The wisdom of educators could hopefully shed light on some of the important questions young people have."
REFLECTION:
In what ways has learning Bible stories or Bible passages helped your learners to connect their faith to life events that have happened to them?
Part 2: A Life of Journeys
Saint Oscar Romero
Archbishop Oscar Romero (1917-1980) was certainly a holy man, a man of God, a faithful follower of Christ, before 1977. But the changed that happened in 1977 in his witness to the Gospel is often called a "conversion," a "metanoia," a "turning point." In 1977, he began to see suffering around him that his eyes had previously not been opened enough to see.
READ this Introduction to the life of Oscar Romero
READ this Introduction to the life of Oscar Romero
REFLECTION:
Archbishop Romero discovered that “The word of God is like the light of the sun. It illuminates beautiful things, but also things which we would rather not see.”
Quote some bible passages that give light to your life.
Are there any passages that you struggle with as to what they are illuminating for you?
Archbishop Romero discovered that “The word of God is like the light of the sun. It illuminates beautiful things, but also things which we would rather not see.”
Quote some bible passages that give light to your life.
Are there any passages that you struggle with as to what they are illuminating for you?
This 4-minute video, animated in the style of Salvadoran art, testifies beautifully to Archbishop Romero's illumination of and by the word of God.