On the Road to Emmaus

By Fr. Christopher Foeckler, MJ • Phoenix, AZ

The appearance of the Resurrected Lord to the disciples on the Road to Emmaus is one of my favorite scenes to meditate on during the Easter Season, as I know it is for many. (Cf. Lk 24:13-35) I have a very nice painting of the scene on the coffee table in the room where I meet with people who come for spiritual direction. There I believe it is most appropriately placed because of the consoling mystery/message it conveys. Let me explain.

“As they were conversing and debating about all the things that had occurred, Jesus Himself drew near and walked with them, although they were prevented from recognizing Him. ‘What are you discussing as you walk along?’, Jesus asked them. Looking downcast, one of them answered, ‘Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that happened these days?!’ Jesus replied, ‘What things?’ 

What Jesus signals so clearly by His catching up to the discouraged disciples on the road to Emmaus is that He wants to listen to us and to speak with us in order to answer our fears, misunderstandings and discouragements just as He did for these two disciples who were leaving Jerusalem and going home — because they had been hoping the Nazarene was the one to redeem Israel but He had been sentenced to death and crucified! 

Jesus shows His patience and love in a considerable way by walking with and listening to these disciples. He chides them for their lack of belief in the prophets and, we may add, their lack of belief of the women whom they had heard reporting a vision of angels with the announcement that He was alive, whose report was verified by some of the other disciples!

This exceptional patience of Jesus with the slowness of His disciples’ understanding and belief is something we should all take note of, especially when we are challenged by our pride and stuck in our own opinions when dealing with others around us, be they co-workers, family members, or friends. Not only is Jesus patient, He loves them dramatically by going out of His way on the very day of His Resurrection to walk with them for miles, listen to their misunderstandings and oversights, and gently correct their thinking by explaining the Scriptures and the truth of the matter: “Was it not necessary the Messiah suffer all these things, so as to enter into His glory?” The truth made their heart burn while He was explaining it on the way and their sadness was turned to ecstatic joy when they recognized Him in the breaking of the bread!

This is the very image and purpose of spiritual direction and why the painting of the Lord walking on the road to Emmaus with the two disciples is on my coffee table. 

May the Glorified Lord accompany all of you and your loved ones in the journey of life and always give you the consolation and guidance you need, whether directly from Him in your prayer and faith, or with the help of a spiritual director He uses to guide you.

A Blessed Easter Season to all our readers and supporters!