The Gospel of Luke (24:13-35) gives an account of two disciples of Jesus who were walking along a dusty road to the village of Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were discouraged and probably bewildered, as they proceeded down the path. The one who they had thought was more than a Prophet, this one called Jesus, whom they believed to be the Messiah, had been crucified. And now there were stories that his body was gone, no longer in the tomb where he was buried. They simply did not know what to make of it all. All they knew was that their world had been turned upside down, and I would bet they were deeply sorrowful and confused.

Then a traveler encountered them on that road, offering to walk at their side. Through both his words and his actions, this traveler showed that he cared about them, as he listened to their story and let them talk about their fears. He comforted them and reminded them to keep the faith, and he affirmed God’s faithfulness. They were so moved by his words and his presence, they begged him to stay with them when they arrived at their destination for they did not want him to leave.

As they began to share dinner together, the scriptures say “their eyes were opened” and they recognized that this stranger who had impacted their journey so profoundly was not some stranger. It was Jesus.

My mom is approaching the end of her life and I am staying with her, to accompany her on this journey. My hope is that by the time she reaches the destination, her eyes are opened to the ways God was walking with her. As I comforted her through the night, as all the family who came to share their love and stories and smiles and hugs, this was all God’s way of loving her. As the Hospice workers and volunteers came out to help, it was clear they were not just “doing a job,” they were sharing love and compassion to make the journey easier.

I believe something greater was going on here. This is God’s way of loving us. The closer we get to “Emmaus”, the greater my awareness of this is. What a walk this has been.

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