A Note From

Rev. Joe Koyickal

The Road to Emmaus: Our Own Life Journey

The Gospel this weekend presents us with the beautiful & moving story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. It is a powerful story that speaks deeply to our own life journey & reminds us that the Risen Lord walks with us, even when we do not recognize Him.

The two disciples in the Emmaus story were discouraged & heartbroken. Their hopes had been shattered by the death of Jesus. They were leaving Jerusalem with a heart filled with confusion, sadness, & disappointment. We can very well relate to their experience. At times we too face moments of discouragement, sadness, uncertainty, grief, or disappointment. And we can easily lose hope and feel God is far away from us.

But the beautiful thing is that Jesus comes to them precisely in their moment of sadness. He walks with them, listens to their pain & sorrow, & gently explains the Scriptures, helping them to see that God was still at work even through suffering & loss. This reminds us that the Lord never abandons us. Even when we do not recognize His presence, He walks beside us especially in our struggles, doubts, & questions.

The beautiful turning point in the story comes when the disciples invite Jesus to stay with them: “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening.” It is in the breaking of the bread that their eyes are opened, & they recognize Him. This reminds us of the Eucharist. Each time we gather for Mass, the Risen Lord is present among us—in His Word proclaimed & in the breaking of the bread. Like the disciples, our hearts too can burn within us when we listen to the Scriptures & encounter Him in the Eucharist provided, we are open.

This Gospel challenges us to recognize Christ in our daily lives. Let us take time to listen to His Word. Let us invite Him to stay with us in prayer. Let us be attentive to His presence in the people we meet, especially those who are struggling or in need?

The story also inspires us to become witnesses. After recognizing Jesus, the disciples immediately returned to Jerusalem to share the good news with others. Their sorrow was turned into joy, & their discouragement into mission. In the same way, our encounter with the Risen Lord should move us outward—to share hope, to encourage others, & to be bearers of Christ’s light in our families, workplaces, & communities.

Blessings of Peace and Joy Always! 

Fr. Joe