On the road to Emmaus

A few days after Jesus’ death, two of his disciples traveled to the town of Emmaus a few miles from Jerusalem. It is fairly easy to place ourselves in the shoes of these two young men. It is possible to experience the deep sadness present in their hearts. The two men are completely hopeless, disappointed, and discouraged. They feel lonely and marginalized as they ponder how everything they believed in suddenly fell apart. After being faithful followers of Jesus, things unfolded in an unexpected manner that was difficult for them to explain. In the midst of their despair and pain, we read in the Gospel of Saint Luke that Jesus approached and walked with them. Jesus consoled and strengthened them even though they did not even recognize him. In the midst of their sadness and uncertainty, Jesus was present walking and breaking bread with them.

It is even easier to identify with the disciples on the road to Emmaus because of what we are experiencing these days. The Georgia bishops recently announced that our Catholic churches will continue to be closed. There will be no public masses celebrated and there will be no opportunities to gather as we usually do. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we are longing for a reality that is not possible, and this fills us with sadness. Among many of the faithful there is a sense of isolation and marginalization since it is not possible to attend church and to receive the sacraments. Like the two disciples, we feel somewhat lost in the midst of uncertainty.

It is important to keep in mind that Jesus approaches us in the same way he did the two young men on the way to Emmaus. Jesus is near and does not abandon us. He is present in our homes and families, giving us new opportunities to acknowledge his presence. Jesus invites us to recognize him in our loved ones, especially those with whom we have not shared much time with until now that everyone is at home. Or perhaps we recognize Jesus in the patience we need to care for children and vulnerable people under our care. Many families are under the same roof all day, and this oftentimes presents new challenges, but it is also an opportunity to find Jesus in our midst. We are called to recognize Jesus who accompanies us, helps us, and cares for us.

During these days, Jesus is increasing our hunger for God. Through absence, we realize how much more we need Him and the Church. We recognize with greater appreciation the importance of our faith community and the centrality of keeping Sunday as the Lord’s Day. Jesus accompanies us now as we long with greater fervor for his presence, and as we thank him for his constant help and closeness.  May we experience the presence of Jesus Christ in a different and renewed way, and may his presence not go unnoticed by any of us.

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