Today, I'm looking at Luke 24:13-35 - The Road to Emmaus. The story is extremely rich in imagery, mystery and meat for reflection. One of the comments by Frrederick Buechner about this passage asks the excellent question - "Where is our Emmaus?" Where do we go to escape? Do we go to the movies, the bar, the park, the beach, to work? When life deals us a major blow. When life doesn't come out like we expected it, what do we do and where do we go?
This passage perhaps asks us to reexamine our travel narrative, our going along the road of life. Who is going with us and what can we learn about the trip, ourselves and others in our journey?
The other thing to think about from this passage is this. What would life be like if we treated everyone we meet and journey with, as if they were the Christ? What would that look like in our own lives? How would we be different?
The next thing to ponder is when we get a brief glimpse of the Holy, when we smile, giggle, feel that strange and wonderful warming of our heart, how do we tell others? Is it even possible? When beautiful mysterious grace happens to us, can we find the words to share it?
Finally, and I know I'm being pretty curious and laying a heavy "reflective" burden on you, but look at the role of hospitality in this reading. The two who journeyed with Jesus invited him to stay with them and enjoy a meal. It almost seems natural or obligatory based on how much he was teaching them and blessing them along the way, but anyway, they asked Jesus to dine with them. In this gesture of hospitality, Jesus blesses and breaks bread with them AND THEN their eyes are opened to who they were eating with! This is a powerful reminder that in hosting strangers, we could be hosting our Lord. But, here's the little caution in this. It seems to me that they were only repaying the value he was giving them in opening them to the scriptures about him. He was an outstanding teacher, so naturally, they would owe him at least a meal. Can we take this to the next level? Can we offer hospitality to those who are not teaching us, blessing us and giving themselves to us? Some tough questions from a very powerful narrative.
Lastly, notice the rapid response of those at dinner when their eyes were opened! They immediately had to go share the news! They probably got indigestion on the rapid trip back to Jerusalem!
Have a phenomenal week reflecting on this passage.
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