Walk to Emmaus

 After His resurrection, Jesus showed Himself to His disciples at various times and in various ways. One of the most poignant manifestations of His risen glory is the revelation to the two disciples making their way to Emmaus.

Christ approached these travelers and began to walk with them. Mysteriously restrained from recognizing Jesus, the two were incredulous that this "stranger" was unaware of the newsmaking events of the past several days. Then, Jesus "interpreted to them what referred to Him in all the Scriptures" (Saint Luke 24:27).

Amazed by the wisdom and knowledge of Jesus, the disciples uttered a cry of the heart that still reverberates in the souls of believers everywhere: "Stay with us." Three short words sum up the servants' appeal to their Master.

Easter Sunday comes and goes. The greatest event in human history is often relegated to a happy memory. The Resurrection may sometimes be considered, albeit unintentionally, as a joyful occasion without much practicality. After all, paying the bills or caring for a loved one who is terminally ill is typical of the overwhelming concerns facing even devout Christians.

All the more reason to imitate the stirring entreaty of the Emmaus-bound disciples: "Stay with us."

Only Christ--the Christ of the cross and the empty tomb--can make sense of the trials that confront a person. "Stay with us" gives God "permission" to remain in our lives through the invisible but nevertheless real principle of grace. (Monsignor Charles M. Mangan)