This Sunday’s Gospel is about two of Jesus’ followers’ journey to nowhere ending in finding Jesus, their master and Lord.

       What we have in today’s Gospel is an example of what those who deserted Him did – they simply went home. At the first sight of difficulty, they decided that it was all over.  It was as if they suddenly realized that the Gospel of Jesus was a good idea, but doomed to failure.  

   The two disciples were running away from Jerusalem.  For Luke, Jerusalem was the focal point of God’s saving work.  These two men were lost, confused, and disillusioned.  The death of their master was the end of everything for them.

     It is precisely at this moment God in Jesus re-enters their life, unexpected and unrecognized.  Jesus gives them a lesson in Scriptures.  He shows them how all the happenings which to them indicated a total failure of Jesus’ work were, on the contrary, stepping stones to triumph and glory.

     Luke masterfully mixed the story of despair and disillusionment with hope and worship.  At its core, the narrative spoke of the transforming power that the Resurrection has for each of us.  It can change us from unbelievers to believers.

     The Christian road we travel is full of challenges to faith.  Jesus walks with us in our challenges.  Like the two disciples who walked to Emmaus, the Lord joins us to open our minds and hearts to His presence.  He invites us back to share our lives with others in fellowship.
                                                        Fr. Zach