April 9, 2021

Dear Parent/Guardian,

With that their eyes were opened and they recognized Him;
where upon he vanished from their sight.
Luke 24:31

The scripture readings this past week were stories of Jesus appearing to his disciples. One of the powerful readings is the journey on the road to Emmaus. The setting is Easter evening as two downhearted disciples make their way from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They are discussing the events of the past few days, namely, Jesus’ suffering and death, and share their story with the stranger who joins them. The stranger enlightens them about the meaning of the events. At last, in sharing a meal with the stranger, they come to recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread. He disappears from them. They are so overjoyed at seeing the risen Lord; they run all the way back to Jerusalem to tell the good news.

So many times, we find ourselves on the road to Emmaus. We become dejected by the circumstances of life and have difficulty finding meaning in them. We may even become so despondent that we cannot find God amidst the happenings. Yet, the Lord comes to us in so many ways each day. He is present in those whom we greet and those whom we ignore. He is present in our joys and in our troubles. He is present in all of life.

The key to the story is to look and listen. When the two disciples really looked and truly listened, they clearly saw that the “stranger” was none other than Jesus, the risen Lord! Their discovery required attentiveness not to themselves but to the other person – Jesus. When their focus shifted from themselves, they were able to recognize Jesus and their eyes and hearts were opened.

Perhaps, attentiveness to the other person can become our Easter gift this season. Looking, listening, focusing, understanding – these actions will demonstrate to others that we wish to hear their story, to see what they see, to walk on their journey. In doing so, we are destined to find that we are journeying with none other than Jesus Himself!