Please read the Scripture passage before the homily.
It is Easter Sunday. Cleopas and another disciple, perhaps his wife, according to John 19:25, are leaving Jerusalem. Luke describes them as grieving at the death of Jesus and disillusioned at this loss.
The prophet Jeremiah had periods of disillusionment when the opposition to his message was getting to him. Jeremiah at several times was trying to turn in his resignation to God. Moses had periods of great trial and needed God’s assurance. Jesus had asked that the chalice of suffering and death be removed from him. We probably have had similar experiences as we have lived out our callings from God.
When we have extreme sorrow or questions, it is often the stranger, the one we do not recognize, who brings us understanding from God.
They had thought of this Jesus as more than a prophet, and as the one great savior for us and our people, but he died, murdered and we have no hope left. Ah, yes, but coming to birth involves great suffering; this is why babies cry at birth. Great athletes put themselves through great pain to perfect their abilities. The same is true of great musicians. Did not the law and the prophets also speak of this in their writings and sayings?
Then it seems that the stranger was hungry and sat down to table with the two companions. He broke bread so that all three could share the meal as all three had shared the journey, the conversation and the understanding of the Scriptures.
It was Easter Sunday evening and the two disciples ran back to Jerusalem, back home to their community, filled with faith in the rising of Jesus from death to new life.