A Walk To Emmaus

A Walk to Emmaus

It is a warm day as you travel along a dusty dry road. It is the middle of the day and the noonday sun is at its highest point in the sky. Two others are walking with you. As your feet hit the road the hot dry dust rises and you can taste it on your lips.

The talk is all about the crucifixion, all about the man Jesus, whom they had watched being nailed to the cross. They, like you, had watched as he died and committed his body to his God and Father.

As you walk you are aware of a feeling of despair and deep sadness.........  The heat of the day only adds to the feeling of melancholy..........

The two speak of the high hopes they had held of Jesus and how those hopes now seemed dashed and in ruins..........

Think of some of the hopes and the dreams that you have nurtured that had not come to be........... remember how you have felt as you remembered these hopes.................

The two begin to speak of their fears for the future........... what should they do now? ..... would it be safe for them to return to where they had fished and lived?...................

What if the same happens to them as they witnessed happening to Jesus?...............

Think of the things that in the past have made you afraid of the future...........

As you continue along the dusty trail feeling the warmth under your feet you are joined by another, a stranger...........

He joins in the discussion. You tell him of the thoughts the three of you have been having......... You speak of unfulfilled dreams and hopes...........

You speak of your fear and anxieties for tomorrow.............

You continue along the road.......... as evening approaches and the day begins to cool............ one of the disciples suggests that it is time to stop and make rest.......... and eat.

You enter a house at the side of the road. Still, all the talk is about Jerusalem and what happened there in the past three or so days............

The stranger begins to speak again this time he talks of the prophecies about the one called Messiah..........

One of the other two begins to take from the bag strung around his waist, some food and wine.............

As they sit and make ready to eat they quietly think about the day and all the talk............

Again you are aware of some of the fears you have for the future...........

All for sit at the rough table.......... One of them gives a blessing..........

The stranger reaches across the table and takes into his hands some bread......... he breaks it...... as you watch you hear again the words, "This is my body broken for you."

You look at the stranger and for a moment it is Jesus that you see.......

He hands a piece of the broken bread and once more you hear the words, "This is my body broken for you."............

You take the offered bread...... you eat........ and in the stillness, the fears for tomorrow and the future dissipate...........

You pause and consider your life and remember the times when you had felt alone.......... Now you realise that at no time were you ever alone.

The thoughts and fears about tomorrow disappear as you hear that inner voice remind you of the words of Jesus, "Lo I will be with you to the very end."

All your fears leave you, there is no more terror about the morrow. You are ready to face the here and now and to live life in all its fullness..........

You are full of Joy and Peace

Give thanks.    

Amen.