There are a few people mentioned by name once or infrequently under singular circumstances in the Gospels, Simon of Cyrene, Jairus, Joanna, Mary of Clopas and today’s saint, St. Cleopas. St. Cleopas is mentioned in Luke’s Gospel as one of the two persons Jesus encountered on the road to Emmaus after the Resurrection, which may be the same occurrence stated in Mark 16:12-13 about the appearance to two disciples on their way to the country. Some think that this is the same person as Clopas, who is mentioned as the husband of Mary, one of the women present at the crucifixion of Jesus. Some traditions claim that he was the brother of St. Joseph and thus the uncle of Jesus. Others say that he was also the same person as Alphaeus, who was the father of James the Less, an Apostle of Jesus. It is difficult to know for sure, but we do know that he was a witness to the resurrected Jesus.
As a named witness to the Resurrection, St. Cleopas and his companion, perhaps his wife, were favored with a noteworthy appearance. They were on the road to Emmaus on the day of Jesus’ Resurrection when a stranger, Jesus, came up to them and walked with them. They shared their experience of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus and their lack of understanding of the whole situation. Jesus explained to them the meaning of the Old Testament regarding his passion and death and then moved as to leave them. They invited him to stay and he “broke bread” with them. At that they recognized him and he disappeared. Think about it; this is the structure of the Mass–reading of Scriptures and the homily along with the sharing of the Eucharist! WOW! St. Cleopas, pray for us.
No comments:
Post a Comment