This Sunday’s Gospel invites us to reflect on our life as a journey. Like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, we may be running away from something that seems too heavy to bear: our grief, our shame, our disappointments, our fears. When our hearts are heavy, our steps are slowed, our vision clouded by tears, it isn’t easy to see or to believe. As we share our experiences with others we meet along the way, we are often unaware that the Risen Christ is walking with us. But when our eyes and hearts are opened to His presence – often in our greatest time of need, of vulnerability – then indeed, Easter comes to dwell in us! This Gospel story illustrates beautifully the dynamics of spiritual discernment. Jesus reveals himself as a true spiritual guide – meeting these sad, would-be disciples where they are, drawing out their story, interpreting it in the light of the Scripture, and finally, in the intimate context of a shared meal, revealing his risen presence to them. “Were not our hearts burning within us as he walked with us on the road?” Immediately, they turn around and run all the way back to Jerusalem, bringing new life and hope to their companions – a word that means “one with whom I break bread.” I leave you this beautiful poem by Malcolm Guite, Emmaus 2: We thought that everything was lost and gone, Disaster on disaster overtook us The night we left our Jesus all alone And we were scattered, and our faith forsook us. But oh that foul Friday proved far worse, For we had hoped that he had been the one, Till crucifixion proved he was a curse, And on the cross our hopes were all undone. Oh foolish, foolish heart, why do you grieve? Here is good news and comfort to your soul: Open your mind to scripture and believe He bore the curse for you to make you whole The living God was numbered with the dead That He might bring you Life in broken bread.