I was thinking about blogging about the disciples on the Road to Emmaus when I sat down to breakfast today, and then I read Pope Francis’ homily on this very subject and realized that, once again, he says it better than I ever could. Not that this is surprising news, but, still. And, as always, he gets me thinking, especially when he gives us the three examples of what a life-changing encounter with Christ looks like.
So, here, courtesy of Rome Reports, is the text of the pope’s message today.
A thought to ponder as you read: Have you missed Jesus on your own Road to Emmaus? I’m pretty sure I have, at least a dozen times.
From Pope Francis:
The joy of Easter is born of our faith in Christ’s Resurrection and his continuing presence in the Church and in our world. With the Resurrection, all has been made new and fresh hope has been poured out upon our world. The question which the angel asked the women on the morning of the resurrection is directed to us as well: “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” (Lk 24:5).
The Gospel shows us three examples of a life changing encounter with the Risen Lord and invites us to a similar encounter. Like Thomas, we need to grasp the reality of Christ’s rising to new life. Like Mary Magdalene, we need to hear Jesus’ voice calling our name. And like the travelers on the road to Emmaus, we need to find renewed joy and hope by recognizing that the Lord is ever at our side.
These disciples sought the living among the dead, yet Jesus led them, by different paths, to faith in him and the power of his resurrection. Today he challenges each of us to seek him, the Living One, and to leave behind everything that holds us back from encountering him and sharing in the rebirth, the freedom and the hope which he alone can give.
(The photo above is a dirt road on the property surrounding the Abbey of the Genesee in western New York. Miles of empty road weaving through corn fields when the season is right. Beautiful for contemplating our life journey and our Road to Emmaus. Get thee to Genesee, if ever you have the chance.)