AM+DG

Apparitions at Emmaus & to Thomas [303, 305]

I. Introduction
a. First Prelude – The Narratives: Our Lord appears to two disciples as
they were going to the country, and He appears to the Apostle Thomas
after eight days of disbelief
b. Second Prelude – Composition of Place: The road leading to Emmaus
and the house where Our Lord broke bread, and Thomas’ house and
the Supper Room
c. Third Prelude – Light to know intimately the infinite goodness of
Christ, the Divine Consoler, and the grace to believe and trust
wholeheartedly in Him, our Lord and our God
d. Five points – 1) Persons; 2) Words; 3) Actions; 4) The divinity, hidden
in the Passion, now shows itself marvelously by its true and holy
effects; 5) Christ our Lord bears the office of consolation, as friend
consoles friends.
II. Apparition at Emmaus (Lk. 24)
a. He appears – The death of Our Lord had led to a great loss of faith
and disappointment in the disciples. OLJC was not what they thought
He would be, i.e. a worldly king bent on dominating over Israel’s
enemies. False ideas die hard! Our Lord’s mission was misunderstood
His entire life, and this misunderstanding continues after His death.

The disciples have their own plan of salvation and refuse to change it.
They would like to find a way to believe, because they respect Our
Lord greatly, but without changing their initial premise. How often are
we not blind in this way, unable to see our faults, because we refuse to
give up a certain pattern of thinking? How often do we misunderstand
OLJC, His ways and doctrine, and think He has failed us, when really
He is right there? The news of the Resurrection should have reminded
them of Our Lord’s predictions, but they are too blind. How often we
are insensible to sermons and readings, because we are not disposed.
b. He reproves – What great mercy of Our Lord to appear to them! They
have been given so much. He is the Good Shepherd going after His
lost sheep. He goes directly to the root of the problem, giving them the
great principle: the Christ had to suffer to enter into His glory. The
same is true for us. We must be crucified with Our Lord if we are to
rise and enter into glory.
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c. He shows Himself – They beg Him to remain with them. They do not
want to leave His presence, even though He has rebuked them. We
must have the same dispositions. And then He rewards them. How do
they recognize Him? Through the Sacrament of Love! It is a
“Communion,” the symbol of unity of Christians. It is the Sacrament
that makes us one with Our Lord. But He does not stay to triumph and
gloat. He disappears, leaving them a divine feast. They cannot restrain
themselves; they return the entire way, although they have already
walked so much that day. They are fortified with strength & courage.
III. Apparition to Thomas (Jn. 20)
a. Incredulity of Thomas – Thomas has lost the faith. Our Lord has
failed him, as it were; he is bitterly disappointed. He has given up on
Our Lord, and cannot believe that He has risen, even on the testimony
of his close friends. He has not been hanging out with him; he has
been keeping to himself.
He is a picture of the modern day skeptic. It is not enough for him to
have lived with Our Lord and received so many graces, to hear the
testimony of the Apostles. No, he must not only see, but touch. How
many have so much evidence for the Church, but do not believe, while
they are willing to believe so many other things on natural faith?
b. Jesus appears to the eight – Our Lord seeks out another lost sheep.
He gives a further overwhelming proof of His condescension,
meekness, and humility. He gives in to the proud request of Thomas.
He wins Thomas as He wins all – through the power of His love and
goodness, not through force or false promises.
c. Thomas believes – Thomas is not praised for his faith that Our Lord is
God, because he has been given so many proofs. But Our Lord praises
us; He speaks to us who believe in His Real Presence, who have not
seen but believe. Let this be a source of strength and courage for us.
Let us go often to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and make acts of
faith and love.
IV. Colloquy – Love and confidence in the risen Lord, asking not to see and
touch His wounds, but to grant such a faith that will make Him and His
whole life a living reality to me.