A shared meditation on fear, loneliness, love and faith.
One of our favourite Easter stories as a couple has always been the Easter evening tale of two travelers on the road to Emmaus. For 62 years I have shared this blessed season with my partner. Life and death have come to us and the vow we shared so long ago `Till death do us part` has become a reality.
This Easter I am traveling this road alone but with so many shared memories.
Imagine two people walking home after a time in the Holy city of Jerusalem . They were there to celebrate Passover with friends and family but before this could happen their beloved friend and teacher was crucified. They may even have been standing close by the foot of the cross as He drew his last breath . Now it was the third day and rumours of His body being missing from the tomb were circulating. Some of the women claimed to have seen Him!
The two felt they needed to get home to their small village where they would feel safer. The road might have been busy, and the heat of the day would add to their discomfort. It was a seven mile walk and they would want to be home before dark!
I imagine they were feeling all the emotions of those who have lost a loved one; sadness, fear, loneliness and overwhelming grief.
A stranger came up to them and asked them why they seemed so distressed. Their reaction was a bit harsh as they almost turned on the man and asked Him if He was unaware of what had taken place in the city . Their fear and anger poured out as they talked in great detail about the events of the past few days . The stranger answered back as He began to teach them what the scriptures had predicted . I can picture the scene as they continued to walk towards Emmaus, how they were enlightened and comforted by the words the man shared with them.
As they neared their home the stranger made signs of continuing his journey, but I have always thought the wife urged her husband to invite the man to come in for supper. I think she had a good idea of the supplies available and knew she could stretch them to feed an extra mouth.
And so they came in to the house and sat at the table , and as was the custom, the head of the household invited the guest to say the blessing. Scripture tells us `their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him`
I share this favourite Easter story with you because I too am walking the road to Emmaus .I am feeling the pain of loss and aloneness and fear and grief, but I know I am not alone. There are many travelers taking this same journey . The comfort I take from this story is the knowledge that I am not alone, The stranger is there beside me to explain and help me and, like the couple from Emmaus , I too will be fed by the bread He blesses, breaks and offers me.
