Easter as our Emmaus

While Holy Week can sometimes feel like a series of related events -- Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday -- each with its own self-contained meaning, keep in mind that from its earliest iteration, this week has been viewed as a time of preparation for Easter Sunday. Whatever liturgical or logistical activities we engage in should point to our anticipation of an Emmaus experience on Easter Sunday.

As we hear in Luke 24, the "Road to Emmaus" story begins with two apostles who are walking seven miles from Jerusalem to the town of Emmaus. Another man joins them and the three walk together, discussing all that has occurred with the prophet Jesus of Nazareth: his teachings, his miracles, his crucifixion, his missing body. The third man who has joined the two is Jesus himself, but the apostles' eyes are not yet open to see him. As Jesus listens to their amazement at the empty tomb, he responds, "How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!" and then he explains to them "what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself."

As the three reach the village, the apostles urge Jesus to stay with them for the evening. While Jesus is at the table with them, he takes the bread, offers thanks, and as he gives the bread to them, their eyes are opened and they recognize him. (See Luke 24:13-35 for the full story.)

Where are you on your road to Emmaus? Are you just setting off on the journey, asking questions of others on the road as you seek to understand who Jesus was? Is it possible a stranger has joined you along the way, answering the very questions you are asking, and yet you have not yet recognized the presence of the Risen Lord? Will you be open, humble, and ready to receive the bread on Easter morning, allowing your eyes to be opened in new and miraculous ways?

We all need to prepare, Friends -- whether that means asking forgiveness of those we have harmed, slowing our pace to witness the Lord's goodness around us, bringing our pain and disappointment to him in prayer, or simply opening ourselves to witness something new on Easter morning. How will you allow Jesus to make himself known to you again so that you are empowered to be a witness to his resurrection? How will you let Easter Sunday be your Emmaus this year?