I am still intrigued by new dimensions which I see in the story about the two disciples of Emmaus in Luke 24. Luke often associates deep symbolic meaning with his concrete narrative. He does so especially when he speaks of the actions of the two disciples of Emmaus after Jesus explained Scripture to them.
When they arrive in Emmaus, Jesus acted if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly: Stay with us, for it is nearly evening: the day is almost over” (verse 29).
This verse is related to what is said about the two disciples in verse 32. There they explain how their hearts were burning in them while Jesus talked with tehm on the road and opened the Scriptures to them. They had a special experience even though their hearts were slow to believe the prophets (verse 25). And yet, these slow hearts were burning hearts!
At their home in Emmaus, the two disciples invite Jesus into their homes. They “urge” him “strongly” to stay with them. The same word for urge is used in Acts 16:15 where Lidia, after her conversion, insists urgently that Paul stays over in her home. She “forced” them to stay there. The two disciples in Emmaus requests Jesus in a similar urgent manner to stay with them. Even though they do not recognize hims, even though they are foolish (verse 25), this is how they respond to what turned out to have been the divine touch on the road.
They respond with their burning hearts by inviting the One who spoke so powerfully, to remain with them.
This request was in reality yet another symbol of their prayer, of oratio. In our dark night, they are saying through this request, we want to be with You.
Something mystical was happening to them – and it had them praying. With this a fundamental dimension of mysticism is spelled out. The mystical experience cannot take place without a prayer of desire and yearning. It is all about oratio.
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