Hope for the hopeless

One can but just imagine the thoughts and conversation of the two Emmaus disciples as they travelled the Highway of Heartbreak, ‘We had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.’ Perhaps our feelings at times are so similar to the Emmaus duo, full of disappointed hopes, which make us angry or even resentful. On our journey it is important to get in touch with the disappointments of our hearts, and imagine Jesus walking with us as we struggle to regain hope and trust. 

This post Easter Episode offers a rich image of prayer. We start out on our own, perhaps quite hopeless, if life has been going badly. Jesus comes by unobtrusively; we welcome him and tell our story. He listens intently, then gently throws light on what had been bothering you.

For Jesus, the key is found in the Scriptures, especially in the great mystery of the Cross, which seems to be the only way to the Resurrection. We too can ask Jesus to enlighten us and to set our hearts burning as he did to the two disciples.

Friendship grows and by the end of the prayer we don’t want him to leave, but we know he will always be watching out for us and will meet us again tomorrow. We can pray: ‘Stay with me, Lord, because it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.’’

Cleopas and his companion saw and heard Jesus without knowing that they did. Did Jesus, in his discussion of Moses and the prophets on the road to Emmaus, remind his listeners of Moses’ admonition that “the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart” (Deuteronomy 30:14)?

Can we sense the nearness of the Lord? He is near us in his word, in his personal presence in our daily  worship, and in our own conscience. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus, this story tells us so much about you. You are: not passive ethereal being, but a pursuer, not a benign, nice associate, but one who risks speaking the truth in love. Not a coercive overpowering presence, but a patient teacher. Not an isolated, individualistic prophet, but a guest, even a host, whose true character is seen in table fellowship.

We praise you as our patient teacher, our ever-pursuing Lord.

Stay with us, too, we pray,

in every part of our journey,

no matter how full of doubt or fear we may be today.

Through your Holy Spirit,

we pray that you will open our eyes, too

Help us see you as our risen Lord

in all your beauty,

and in all your loving power.

Amen.