GOSPEL

“He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.”

From the Gospel according to Luke 24:13-35

That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.
He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast.
One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his Body; they came back and reported
that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. 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.” And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things
and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. 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.
And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing,
broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the Eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The Gospel of the Lord

It always wins.

We find it difficult to understand that in order to reach Glory, the Lord had to suffer a lot beforehand. Since God gave us freedom and we chose to fall into sin, there is the possibility of not loving ourselves and not loving Him. In such circumstances, the only possibility to demonstrate love is through suffering. There is no other way. So, there is no greater love than the one that gives life for one’s friends.

Christ establishes a new covenant of love between God and mankind, giving his life for the salvation of humanity, so there is no greater love than that of God and humanity, since Christ is also human and He did it on behalf of all of us. And for this reason, the Father glorifies him, and through Him, He will glorify us.

Applied to Married Life:

Susanne: I had pictured our marriage as a journey filled with delightful surprises, intimate confessions, and shared understanding, where we would be deeply connected. However, as our marriage began and I soon realized it wasn’t what I had hoped for, I was deeply disappointed. I married you with the expectation that we would love each other. Over time, I shifted my focus away from our relationship, believing I needed to find another path to find fulfillment within myself.

Charles: It’s true that we feel disappointed in each other. I had imagined a wife eager to welcome me every day, who would look at me with excitement every morning when we woke up, who would make me feel like a better  man and sweeten our life.

Susanne: Certainly, everything seemed fine until I encountered suffering. I resisted it, unwilling to accept it. However, I came to understand that marriage is a sacred bond, one that can only be lived by following the teachings of the Master of Love, who is Christ. He achieved the glory I sought, but it came through the path of the cross. A path where I first had to confront my sins of selfishness and pride and more. And then also surrender for yours.

Charles: I faced similar challenges. Learning to love by suffering to overcome the impulses of my self-love, and then learning to offer myself for you, like Christ .It’s been difficult, but I’ve begun to experience moments of profound fulfillment, when, by the grace of God, I surrender myself to Him and to you.

Susanne: Now, I see a deeper beauty in love, far beyond my initial expectations for our marriage. I didn’t expect so much from our marriage. Praise be to God who exceeds our expectations by far.

Charles: True love always conquers. Christ always triumphs. That’s what Saint John Paul used to tell us when we were dating.

Mother,

May we not fear suffering, for it is the path of Christ. With His guidance, we will find the glory. Praise be to Our Lord.