Luke's account of the two disciples' encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus is one of the most inspiring and fruitful stories in the New Testament. Let us reflect today on two of the many key points in the story. First of all, Jesus interpreted for them every passage of Scripture which referred to himself, and secondly the response of the disciples to the breaking of the bread. Their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus: "Were not our hearts burning within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?"

Though too long to detail here, we note that the outline of the story is essentially the same as the structure of Mass. So the reading of Scripture comes first with the homily drawing out the meaning for us. Afterwards comes the Eucharist, the breaking of the bread which opens our eyes and allows us to recognize Jesus and the fire that the true meaning of Scripture sets blazing in our hearts.

Scripture, the Word of God, prepares us to recognize the Word made flesh and now, in the Eucharist, to receive him as the bread of life and the cup of our salvation.