“On the first day of the week, two of Jesus’ disciples were going
to a village called Emmaus.” (Lk 24:13-35)
The Gospel account of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus is a beautiful story, memorable and well-crafted. The story also has some things to say about my spiritual life. Here are four spiritual lessons I’ve gleaned from their journey that I can apply to my spiritual journey.
Lesson 1: When I’m walking the wrong way, Jesus walks with me.
On the road to Emmaus, the two disciples were essentially walking in the wrong direction. They were understandably escaping from the horror of the crucifixion and the betrayal by the religious and civil leaders. They were naturally worried that they might be next.
But they were also walking away from the epicenter of God’s saving plan. Through the crucifixion, God gave us away for our sins to be forgiven. Through the resurrection, God conquered death. Rumors of the empty tomb were beginning to spread. The two on the road to Emmaus were walking not toward but away from God’s unprecedented action to bring about a “new heaven and a new earth”. (Rev 21:1)
There are times in my life and probably yours when I felt like I’m going the wrong way. I’ve made some bad decisions and have had to suffer the consequences. I sometimes feel regret about the way I’ve treated others or raised my children. My job periodically becomes life-draining not life-giving. Maybe you might have felt some of the same. Or maybe you feel like your just drifting away from God or life is passing you by.
When the two were walking the wrong way, Jesus came and walked with them. It’s an important lesson. Even if I’m on the wrong road, or walking the wrong way, Jesus joins me and walks with me.
Lesson 2: When I’m self-absorbed, I don’t see Jesus.
The two on the road to Emmaus were “conversing and debating”. It sounds like they were not making any progress in their dialogue. Jesus asked, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” (Lk 24:17) They responded by “looking downcast”. The Greek word literally translates as “long face”. They were feeling despair. They “were hoping that he would be the one” and were now thinking he was not. They were talking and debating with long faces and lost hope. They were all wrapped up and what they had experienced but we’re blind to the magnificent work of God, taking place in their midst. Scripture says, “their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.” But I think it was more their preoccupation with their own inner conflict, disappointment, and despair that kept their eyes closed.
To see Jesus walking with me I need to look outside of myself and look to God. Like Peter on the stormy seas, once he took his eyes off Jesus, he sank. In my life, when things appear hopeless, I need to stop the naval gazing and open my eyes to see where the Lord is and what he is doing. Lesson one is that if I’m on the wrong road, Jesus walks with me. But lesson two is that for me to see him, I need to open my eyes and ponder what God might be doing even in the fog of whatever I’m going through.
Lesson 3: Jesus waits for my invitation.
The turning point in this gospel reading comes when the two disciples say to Jesus, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” (Lk 24:26) Jesus was not going to force himself on these two. If they did not want to hear what he had to say he was moving on.
God does not force himself into my life or yours. He waits for that invitation. Stay with us, Lord. Stay with us, Lord, for evening draws near. Stay with us, Lord, for there is a lot of darkness in my life. Stay with us, Lord, for the world is filled with despair and confusion. Jesus is just waiting for that invitation.
As the trials and struggles become overwhelming, or I am getting ready to do a difficult task, I can easily repeat that simple invitation: “Stay with me, Lord.”
Lesson 4. Jesus is made present in the Sacraments.
The two disciples recognized Jesus at the breaking of the bread. I couldn’t help but notice how the gospel reading resembles the liturgy of the Mass. I sometimes enter this building like the two on the road, a little confused and overwhelmed. The world is upside down and that sometimes blinds me to what God is doing to turn it right-side up. But then I hear the Lord speaking to me in the scripture. My heart doesn’t exactly “burn” as the disciples, but every once in a while, I feel a spark. The response, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof…” contains an echo of the disciple’s invitation, “Stay with us.” After which, Jesus is made present in the breaking of the bread.
At the conclusion of Mass, the deacon commands the assembly: “Go and announce the gospel of the Lord.” The two disciples “set out at once and returned to Jerusalem”. Their experience of the risen Lord could not be contained but had to be shared. They immediately left to spread the Good News to other people who were despairing: We have seen the Lord!
After this little journey on the spiritual lessons from Emmaus, I feel more compelled to do the same. In my throughts, words, and actions announce to a doubting world, “I have seen the Lord. He is risen. Alleluia!”