We are all pilgrims on a journey of faith, aren’t we? So, our Gospel reading today from Luke of the disciples’ encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus appeals to all of us, since they encounter Jesus on their own pilgrimage journey. Why were the disciples on the road that day? Were they afraid? Were they trying to run away from something? Were they trying to flee from their faith? Even through the resurrected Jesus encounters them, something prevents them from recognizing him. What was preventing them? They presumed Jesus was dead, didn’t they? Perhaps the resurrected Jesus was transformed in a way that prevented them from recognizing him. In many ways, these disciples were broken, frustrated, angry, and confused. This traveler seemed to be the only one who did not know what happened to Jesus, the man who they thought would redeem their nation. Through their interaction with Jesus, through the kindness they offer to a supposed stranger, through them breaking open God’s word and breaking bread together, they recognize him, they believe, and they bring the Gospel message to others. We, too, are called to offer acts of kindness to the stranger and the broken. We, too, are to break open God’s word, to have his word interact with the reality of our lives. And in the Eucharist, in the breaking of the bread around the Lord’s table, we are to receive nourishment, encouragement and, life. Yes, like the disciples on the Road to Emmaus, we also are pilgrims on a journey. May we never forget that.
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