One of the more beautiful and enduring stories of St. Luke’s Gospel is found in Chapter 24. Two disciples were on their way to Emmaus, walking and talking, when a stranger caught up with them. They were down-hearted and the stranger appeared nosy. Without an introduction he asked them what they were talking about. It was a strange conversation starter! But given how distracted they were by how bad things were for them, they didn't seem to mind and launched into their tale of woe.

Their dreams had been shattered.‘Our own hope had been that he would be the one to set Israel free,' they said. This was a noble hope indeed. It was the hope of the Jewish people. But their hope had died when Jesus was crucified. Now they were left without hope. However, the risen Jesus is the one who has come to walk alongside them. The same Christ who walked the Emmaus road with the two disciples is walking with us today. He is walking with those who are puzzled and confused about their future.

This reassuring story has a message of hope for each one of us today. It challenges us to see that even at times of despair and confusion Jesus Christ is with us. This gives us courage to return to the ‘Jerusalems’ of our time, and be called anew to mission. Nothing will ever be the same again once I move into a deep acceptance of the truth of the Emmaus experience…