Why Are You Downcast? - Discover Jesus' Conversation With The Disciples On The Road to Emmaus

Jesus has risen, but no one knows. After his public Death on Calvary, his followers are immersed in darkness, but a new dawn is beginning. Jesus has chosen two of his disciples who are returning home from Jerusalem. He appears to them as just another traveler among the many who journey to and from Jerusalem for Passover.  The Risen Jesus joins their conversation, and unrecognized, he enters into dialogue with them. 

Step by step Jesus dispels their doubts and calms their anguished hearts. Their eyes are opened to the beauty of an unexpected reality, and their sadness is turned to joy.  

What did Jesus say to them? How did he turn their defeat into victory? 

Through deep biblical knowledge and with a great respect for the sources, Rev. Joaquin Paniello becomes a silent witness to a remarkable dialogue. He systematically searches the Scriptures that foretell the Messiah and connects them to the experiences of the disciples recorded in the Gospels.  

In the icon of the two disciples from Emmaus, the personal journey of many of us shines through… Indeed, it can happen that we look toward Jesus enthusiastically at first, often prompted by cultural or emotional motivations which, precisely for this reason, are quickly depleted. Over time, the initial spiritual emotions are not enough: We see that things are not going well, that we are unable to create unity between our real life and the faith we thought we had, and that failures ensue. This is the experience of the two disciples. 

“Why Are You Downcast?” allows the reader to identify with these two disciples and understand what it means to give the very reason for our hope!