On Easter Day, as the sun was setting, two disciples walked away from Jerusalem headed for Emmaus, located seven miles outside the holy city. They were distraught, uncertain of the future … for their Lord was crucified. Then, they meet the stranger …

This story reminds us that Jesus walks with us in every season of our lives. We have to ask for the gift to recognize him with burning hearts.

Peter tells the crippled man to rise and walk. The crippled man is healed and glorifies God. Two of Jesus’ disciples were walking away from Jerusalem and they met the Lord on their journey. To walk is a spiritual exercise. The recognition of Jesus walking with us is an Emmaus moment. We need Emmaus moments in our lives. I share my an Emmaus moment in my own life here.

I feel that at times Jesus will walk with us so that we are aware of his presence. Other times Jesus will walk in front of us so that he can guide us on where the journey will pivot and curve. It is an act of trust. Then, there are times Jesus walks behind us because he has equipped us to navigate the way.

They recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread and their hearts burned with love for him. They ran back to Jerusalem to tell the others. Saint Augustine commented on this:

Jesus broke the bread, they recognized him. Then we should no longer say that we do not know Christ! If we believe, we know him! Indeed, if we believe we have him! They had Christ at their table, we have him in our souls! Having Christ in one’s own heart is far more than having him in one’s house: in fact, our hearts are more intimate to us than our homes” (Sermon 232, VII, 7).

Let us be on the way!