Emmaus – the place of
manifestation
Together with the Franciscan
Friars, some parishioners of San Salvatore (Jerusalem), Sisters of different Congregations
present here in Jerusalem, and a small group of pilgrims, we went to Emmaus
(Al-Qubeibeh) to celebrate the feast of St Simeon and St Cleopas, Martyrs. It
was a significant experience to this minute Christian community (apart from the
Franciscan Friars and a community of nuns, there is only one Christian family
living here), especially now that Pilgrims are no longer allowed to visit this
place after Israel closed all access to some Palestinian areas.
A word about the place: according
to the Gospel of St Luke (24,13-35) on the day of his resurrection, Jesus
accompanied two of his disciples on their way to Emmaus, about seven miles from
Jerusalem. Some ancient manuscripts of the Gospel of Luke say sixty stadia, meaning more or less eleven
kilometers. Other manuscripts read instead a
hundred and sixty stadia, which would make the distance some twenty-nine
kilometers and a half. If we accepted this other version it would make it
somewhat difficult for the two disciples to walk from and to Jerusalem in one
day, as the Gospel account tells us they did. This said, it must be said that in
different periods various places have claimed to be the real Emmaus of the
Gospel. Al-Qubeibeh has a tradition which is 700 centuries long and sustained
by the Franciscans.
A word about the Saints: The
Gospel mentions Cleopas only. The other companion is not mentioned by name. We
have a number of traditions. Some would claim that Cleopas is the father of the
companion who is given the name of Simeon (Origen refers to him by this name). Simeon
was the second bishop of the Church of Jerusalem after James, the first bishop.
Both Cleopas and Simeon died as martyrs. Again, Fr. Cornelius a’ Lapide SJ (a 17th
century biblical commentator) mentions another interesting possibility, based
on some patristic sources: “This Cleopas was the brother of S. Joseph (the
husband of the Blessed Virgin), the father of S. James the less, and S. Jude,
and the grandfather of S. James the greater and S. John, who were the sons of
Salome, the daughter of Cleopas.” This would make them relatives of Jesus. Their
feast is held on the 25th September. If someone would like to read more, see
Today, Al-Qubeibeh is enclosed
within the Palestinian Territories and in order to enter we had to go through a
checkpoint. It took us a whole hour to be granted permission to enter … and we
had the necessary permits from the Ministry of Interior Affairs of the State of
Israel. I really empathized with what a simple Palestinian trying to enter
would have to pass through. Reaching this place we did see the Wall erected by
the Israelis along all the Palestinian territories to protect themselves. How
shameful it is to have to experience again this wall of division in our world!
My prayer is that people may come together, may respect each other and may
build our world on the values of justice, truth and peace! Here, this seems so
far from being reached! May your Kingdom come, Lord.
I would like to conclude my blog
today by this beautiful prayer which was said at the end of the Prayers of the
Faithful: “Lord Jesus Christ, that you came here accompanying St Simeon and St
Cleopas on their way, that here they recognized you by your Word and by your Bread,
grant us that we may feel our hearts burning within us in recognizing you in
the many forms of presence that you have chosen to remain among us. You, who
live and reign for ever and ever. Amen”.
A final note: just some minutes
ago a thunderstorm has passed over Jerusalem. Many thunders, some rain, but now
it’s all quite again!
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| Altar Piece of the Church in Emmaus |
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| One of the Stained Glass Windows depicting the story related in Luke 24. Here, the moment they recognized Jesus in the breaking of bread. |
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| The wall dividing Israel from the Palestinian Territories. |
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