Stay With Us

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. Luke 24:13-35 

The conversations we have on the road often times reveal to us a hidden side of ourselves or others. When we walk along together, the conversation is easy and silence is acceptable. Often, though, we are changed by what we learn, however simple it might be at the time. We often make profound friends who began as traveling companoins. We might also see the darker side of others. However it goes, we discover the unexpected and unplanned.

The Gospel doesn't tell us why the two disciples were walking the Emmaus road, just that they were and Jesus joined them. They didn't recognise their long time friend and teacher, but somehow, their hearts were softened and they invited him to stay. There, over a simple meal, their unknown traveling companion became their resurrected Lord, the heart of their identity. They were changed forever by a casual encounter. We are called to be changed by the people we meet on the road, and to see the presence of Christ in the casual stranger.

Today, I ask God to give me the eyes to see and the ears to hear the Christ within everyone I encounter. May we not fret the journeys and the roads ahead as we can expect to entertain the Divine in the midst of those same dusty and twisting roads.