"The Disciples on the Road to Emmaus" Tissot, James Jacques Joseph (1836-1902)
Easter Octave day 4
Lockdown living week 4....
Hope all’s going well.
One of the great Easter stories is Emmaus. The story of the risen Jesus walking with two disciples who are on their way to Emmaus talking about all that had happened - talking about the crucifixion and death of Jesus. At first, just like Mary in yesterday’s gospel, they didn’t recognise that it’s the risen Christ who is with them.
The two disciples’ hopes in Christ had been reduced to rubble - they are thinking of the death of their leader. This is getting them down on the road.
In their grief, Christ walks beside them. At first they think it’s a stranger listening to their story of loss and pain. Christ walks with them and listens.
We could say that there was some kind of value in them not recognising at first that it was the risen Christ by their side. For sometimes people can find themselves being more honest with a stranger than with a loved one or a friend. People can find themselves sharing little pieces of themselves with for example the fellow passenger or the hairdresser or the barber. Sometimes it’s easier to open up to a stranger.
So this was the opportunity the two disciples were given and they took it. They opened up and shared what was in their broken hearts.
They were being listened to. They needed that. It’s always good to have a good listener.
Jesus then asks them to listen to him. He has listened to them. He now wants them to listen so that he can help them on their journey.
They listen, and what Christ does is he opens their minds and they come re recognise the risen Christ present with them.
The Emmaus story is very much that about dialogue and conversation. The talking and the listening.
If we take time to listen to God, especially in moments of prayer, then we can come to know and appreciate Christ’s wonderful promise - “I am with you always”
The truth is we’re all on an Emmaus journey. Like the two disciples, we may be perplexed by things that happen in life. At present, we are understandably troubled and afraid with this global pandemic. We can feel helpless and maybe downcast like the two on their way to Emmaus. Like them, we need the light that Christ offers.
When we can’t make sense of what’s going on in life - with what’s going on in the world - that’s when we need to lean on Christ for support, for help, for divine assistance.
When we grow weary on the road of the struggle - go to Jesus.
When on the journey we have periods of darkness and trial - go to Jesus.
Like the two disciples, sometimes we don’t always appreciate Christ’s presence in our lives.
Again, he has given us the promise of his presence - “I am with you, always!”
All the best for the Easter Octave. These eight days celebrating the great joy of Easter
Take care
Fr Mackle
Lockdown living week 4....
Hope all’s going well.
One of the great Easter stories is Emmaus. The story of the risen Jesus walking with two disciples who are on their way to Emmaus talking about all that had happened - talking about the crucifixion and death of Jesus. At first, just like Mary in yesterday’s gospel, they didn’t recognise that it’s the risen Christ who is with them.
The two disciples’ hopes in Christ had been reduced to rubble - they are thinking of the death of their leader. This is getting them down on the road.
In their grief, Christ walks beside them. At first they think it’s a stranger listening to their story of loss and pain. Christ walks with them and listens.
We could say that there was some kind of value in them not recognising at first that it was the risen Christ by their side. For sometimes people can find themselves being more honest with a stranger than with a loved one or a friend. People can find themselves sharing little pieces of themselves with for example the fellow passenger or the hairdresser or the barber. Sometimes it’s easier to open up to a stranger.
So this was the opportunity the two disciples were given and they took it. They opened up and shared what was in their broken hearts.
They were being listened to. They needed that. It’s always good to have a good listener.
Jesus then asks them to listen to him. He has listened to them. He now wants them to listen so that he can help them on their journey.
They listen, and what Christ does is he opens their minds and they come re recognise the risen Christ present with them.
The Emmaus story is very much that about dialogue and conversation. The talking and the listening.
If we take time to listen to God, especially in moments of prayer, then we can come to know and appreciate Christ’s wonderful promise - “I am with you always”
The truth is we’re all on an Emmaus journey. Like the two disciples, we may be perplexed by things that happen in life. At present, we are understandably troubled and afraid with this global pandemic. We can feel helpless and maybe downcast like the two on their way to Emmaus. Like them, we need the light that Christ offers.
When we can’t make sense of what’s going on in life - with what’s going on in the world - that’s when we need to lean on Christ for support, for help, for divine assistance.
When we grow weary on the road of the struggle - go to Jesus.
When on the journey we have periods of darkness and trial - go to Jesus.
Like the two disciples, sometimes we don’t always appreciate Christ’s presence in our lives.
Again, he has given us the promise of his presence - “I am with you, always!”
All the best for the Easter Octave. These eight days celebrating the great joy of Easter
Take care
Fr Mackle
