In Luke’s story of the road to Emmaus we see the apostles at an inflection point. It appears their ministry has been utterly crushed. Jesus has been crucified and they are no doubt racked with guilt over their abandonment of Him. But then… a few days after the crucifixion, wild stories begin to circulate.
A group of women disciples return from a trip to complete burial services with a tale of strange men dressed in dazzling white and an empty tomb. Mary Magdalene even tells of seeing and hearing ‘Rabbouni.’ Incredible! Unbelievable! Peter and John go see for themselves and they return with a confirmation. As the women said, the tomb is indeed empty.
Next, two disciples who departed Jerusalem in despondency over the death of their beloved teacher and the apparent end of their movement, burst in on the apostles. The disciples trip over each other to relate their story. On the road to Emmaus they have seen Him! Jesus! He is risen!
Their tale seems incredible. They had walked with Jesus for hours and received what must have been the greatest catechism lesson in history, but they did not recognize Him until breaking bread at dinner? And why would Jesus appear to Cleopas and his friend rather than to the chosen eleven apostles?
Even as they discuss these conundrums Jesus appears to them. Initially they are “startled and terrified” as well as “disbelieving and still wondering.” As He had done just a few years before on the shores of Galilee, Jesus again calls His apostles. He extends His peace, shares a meal, and breaks open the meaning of the Old Testament scriptures that as the Messiah His mission was to suffer, die, and rise again for the forgiveness of our sins.
The Building of the Church
After this “second calling” the apostles are past their inflection point. Although there will be plenty of trials and tribulations ahead, the apostles are confirmed in their belief. They are firm in their acceptance of Jesus as savior. So, firm in fact that all but John will end up as martyrs for the faith.
Jesus in His glorified body does not remain present to the disciples for long after the resurrection. There is no need. The descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost and the reconfirmed faith of the apostles allow the building of Christ’s continued presence in His Church to commence.
We see the fruits of this Church building in today’s first reading from Acts. God, working through the representatives of His fledgling Church, affects the miraculous cure of a cripple. We see it in the transformed Peter. From the fearful follower who vehemently denies Christ at His moment of suffering, Peter is now a miracle worker and a preacher of rousing power.
Even as Peter is led away in chains for his preaching in the temple, we are told that the power of his message resulted in five thousand new believers. And so, this building of the Church, the body of Christ, has continued for the past two thousand years to this very moment.
Our Call and Mission
Like the apostles, many of us require multiple callings to faith. These callings may take different forms: the slow and steady formation of faith within our families, sudden moments of grace, or the example of holy priests and other consecrated people. We know that we do not need to seek God. He is already passionately seeking us. In the busy hustle of life, we do need to be sure that we are open and receptive to the different ways that God chooses to speak with us.
As we listen to God and discern His will for us, we will be led more closely to follow Jesus as our savior and to imitate Him. In whatever form this takes based on our situation in life, we will then be participants in the great adventure of expanding Christ’s Church through space and time until His return.
