13 Behold, two disciples were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem. 14 They talked with each other about all of these things which had happened. 15 While they talked and questioned together, Jesus himself came near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk, and are sad?”

18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things which have happened there in these days?”

19 He said to them, “What things?”

They said to him, “The things concerning Jesus, the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people; 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we were hoping that it was he who would redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Also, certain women of our company amazed us, having arrived early at the tomb; 23 and when they didn’t find his body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of us went to the tomb, and found it just like the women had said, but they didn’t see him.”

25 He said to them, “Foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?” 27 Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 They came near to the village, where they were going, and he acted like he would go further.

29 They urged him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is almost evening, and the day is almost over.”

He went in to stay with them. 30 When he had sat down at the table with them, he took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave to them. 31 Their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished out of their sight. 32 They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us, while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 They rose up that very hour, returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them, 34 saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 They related the things that happened along the way, and how he was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.

Luke 24:13-35 - World English Bible

In Luke 24, the Emmaus story presented two ways to view the Good News: a report of sadness and incredulity, or tidings of great joy. Two disciples left for a small hamlet about seven miles from Jerusalem. On the way, they encountered Jesus as a stranger and retold the events of his suffering, death and Resurrection, but from the perspective of a broken heart. Their disappointment colored their outlook and prevented them from seeing the larger picture. The Lord put those events into the context of their faith tradition. At that, their eyes began to open, but did not truly see him until he broke bread with them.

Volumes have be written about the liturgical overtones of this passage. The believer travels on the road of life, sometimes discounting the presence and activity of Christ in their life. The one proclaiming the word of God (an ordained minister standing 'in persona Christi') gives the events in the life of the believer context, and engenders real faith, that burning desire to come closer to the Lord. That desire can only be satiated when the Lord himself (again represented by the minister standing 'in persona Christi') breaks bread within the community. In other words, the Emmaus narrative describes the Mass.

How have you "seen" the risen Lord at Mass?