Thoughts for the Day

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.’ Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

This reading from Luke's Gospel is one of the most natural stories in the Gospels - two men who are sad and puzzled walking home. They reminded me of a time I organised a walk called 'Pilgrims on the Way' . We spent six days with hundreds of people walking between Worcester and Hereford, following winding country paths and avoiding most roads. We slept in tents and schools, worshipped in the open air, did liturgical dance amongst the cow pats, and conducted parachute games. There were some who had never slept in tents, and who struggled to live without a shop, and the youngest was only a few months old with the oldest in their nineties. One of the things I learnt was how easy it was to talk to someone in depth while walking, whether you knew them originally or they were a complete stranger. The reason was partly because when we walk side by side we're not looking at one another.

Over the past few years of writing these 'Thoughts for the Day' I have realised that the study I do each day has made so many new connections for me and strengthened my faith. From all who sent me emails in the last week or so, it has obviously been the same for them as well. Like the two men on the road to Emmaus we have delved behind some well-known stories from the scriptures and begun to make connections in our own life, so giving Jesus a chance to teach us as well.

Mary Magdalene recognised Jesus by his voice; the two men on the road recognised Jesus when he broke the bread; and for many of us, well we have recognised our Lord has come to us through the medium of the scriptures and modern technology.

Lord, I sometimes look for You
and do not find You there.
But You speak to me in ways unusual -
through the scriptures;
through the voices of friends;
through text on my computer;
through the silence;
through my thoughts,
through music and song;
and through the medium of art;
When I am unresponsive, Lord,
keep prompting me.
Amen.