It’s Easter Sunday, and two of Jesus’ disciples are trudging, for some reason, toward Emmaus. They are dejected and confused, mourning the shameful crucifixion of the one they had hoped would redeem Israel. Suddenly Jesus himself is with them, but in a weird and wonderful twist, they cannot recognize him.
Luke’s rich narrative of this encounter with the Risen Christ is, among other things, a master class in the art of accompaniment, to which we have all been called by Pope Francis and our archdiocesan pastoral plan.
Jesus draws near to the downcast disciples and walks with them in their pain and incomprehension. He asks them questions and listens to their answers. He patiently helps them come to a deeper understanding of the truth. And he respects their freedom. Jesus does not impose himself but waits for their invitation to stay with them in the village.
Only after all these steps along the journey are the disciples prepared to recognize Jesus’ eucharistic presence in the breaking of the bread, and to joyfully proclaim the good news of his resurrection.
Northwest Catholic — April/May 2022