Poetic Reflection by Kazimierz Wójtowicz on the Biblical Pericope Lk (24:13–55): On the Series Emaus — werset po wersecie (Emmaus — Verse by Verse)

Abstract

This article deals with Kazimierz Wójtowicz's series Emaus – werset po wersecie (Emmaus - verse by verse), unique in Polish poetry and included in the volume Po prostu Emaus. Wybór wierszy z lat 1978–2016 (Just Emaus. A selection of poems from 1978–2016) (Kraków 2016). The discussed reflection is divided into four segments. The first is an introduction. It shows the priest-poet's fascination with the biblical theme of Emmaus, as evidenced by his numerous ekphrastic and non- ekphrastic poems, classified by the author as Emaus w słowie (Emmaus in the word) and Emaus w obrazie (Emmaus in the image). The second part is an attempt to systematize biblical commentaries on the pericope of St. Luke (24, 13–35). Three main directions of interpretation are discussed, namely, liturgical, symbolic, and the contrapuntal nature of the pericope on Emmaus in relation to the passage about the meeting of the Risen Jesus with Mary Magdalene. The third most extensive segment includes the analysis of 15 poems within the series of our interest that paraphrases most of the verses from the pericope of St. Luke. The description of the following poems is not extensive due to the modest size of this article. In the last segment, it is emphasized that Wójtowicz's poetic reflection on the pericope of St. Luke has artistic values and is also kerygmatic in nature. Commenting on biblical verses using the language of poetry, we primarily refer to the symbolism of the pericope. We use liturgical interpretation to a lesser extent. In the end, our attempt is made to juxtapose the series with other poems by Wójtowicz about Emmaus.