One of the several intriguing though fascinating incidents that took place after the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is about two of his disciples walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus.
The Gospel accounts inform us that these two, disheartened as they were with what had happened to their master Jesus who had made tall claims about being the Son of God but had eventually died a pathetic death, were having a rather animated discussion.
As they were walking, the risen Jesus joined them and asked them what they were discussing. The Gospel narrative tells us that something prevented them from recognising him. One of them, Cleopas, said, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have you not known the things which happened there in these days?”
Describing then what had happened, they concluded, “when they did not find his body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said he was alive”.
The answer that Jesus gives them has been inspiring for many Christians, including me.
He told them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory?”
Like the two disciples I feel that we are often found discussing, arguing and debating religion, God, faith and ritual practices without paying proper attention to what our scriptures, traditions and religious gurus tell us about divine and human realities. Other times we start rationalising those predicaments which are otherwise simply matters of faith.
For instance, during the lifetime of Jesus he had indicated to them, who he was, from where he came and why he lived the way, he did. Instead of remembering his words and reflecting on them to understand the events of the previous three days, the disciples were busy trying to solve the problem.
