Reflection - Four Thoughts

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041917.cfm
Acts 3:1-10
Luke 24:13-35

The incident on the road to Emma-us is high on the list of my favorite Scripture passages. Among the post-Resurrection stories, the account of the disciples traveling the road is probably rivaled only by the encounter between Thomas and the risen Christ as the most memorable. The principle details of the incident are well known and often discussed; but I found myself reflecting on some of the less noticed elements. Whether the Lord or Luke intended these details to be instructive, I couldn't say. Nevertheless, I found them worth pondering even though none led to anything particularly new. 

Long before David conquered the city of Jerusalem and made it the capital  of the United Kingdom of Israel. . . long before Solomon built his great temple on one of the city's major hills, Jerusalem found prominence in the first book of the Bible. At that time it was called Salem. That brief reference in Genesis is the only Scriptural text of note for several decades of Israel's history. The city regains Biblical importance when it becomes King David's capital and subsequently the home of Solomon's Temple. 

But Jerusalem was notable not just because of its history, its political significance or its religious buildings. What it symbolizes in the texts from the prophets and Revelation surpasses any of those concrete characteristics. Both the prophetic books of the Old Testament and the author of Revelation in the New saw the New Jerusalem as the focal point for the coming Kingdom of God. In it, the Throne of the Lamb will be established. From there, the risen Christ will reign.

When Jesus joins the disciples on the road they are headed the wrong way. The are looking toward Emma-us, not Jerusalem. But Jesus instructs them and breaks bread with them. At that point, their eyes are opened and are quickly fixed on Jerusalem, the New Jerusalem and the Kingdom over which the Lamb will reign.

The second of these 'lesser' details is the substance of the encounter between Jesus and the dis-illusioned travelers. After the initial greetings the conversation quickly turns to the events of the previous week. The would-be disciples express their disappointment and loss of hope. To this Jesus replies: 

          "Oh, how foolish you are!

          How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!

          Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things

               and enter into his glory?"

          Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets,

          he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the Scriptures.

The Scriptures were not inspired by the Spirit primarily as writings for our moral instruction. Rather, they were inspired by the Spirit primarily to enable God's people to recognize the savior when God's promise was fulfilled. The Spirit teaches me that it is in knowing the Word of God that we are first offered the opportunity to understand the broad strokes of what God is moving to accomplish. The Spirit teaches me that it is in knowing the written, inspired word that we are first to know the incarnate Word.

The third of these 'lesser' details is found at the point where Jesus joins the disciples. The text tells us that "Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him." What was behind their inability to recognize Jesus is something we can only surmise. But, without saying so, the text telłs us something important. At the time of the transfiguration, as witnessed by Peter, James and John,  "the appearance of his [Jesus'] countenance was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white." (Luke 9:29) This was not the case as the travelers walked the road to Emma-us. He joined them, not in the splendor of his transfiguration, not in the glory of his resurrection. There were neither dazzling white robes like those of the angels at the tomb nor a face that radiated with light as did the face of Moses after he had spoken with God. He joined them as an ordinary traveler. 

The image of my spiritual life as a journey on an unpredictable path is one which I find expressive of my experience. The idea that Jesus would join me as a simple traveling companion is both reassuring and comforting. In this image I can welcome his as an intimate friend who always has my back and who doesn't seek to control my life. 

The last of these 'lesser' details recalled to mind a popular poem, one which I'm sure is familiar to you, at least in story if not in verse. It is titled 'Footprints in the Sand,' and it begins like this. 

          One night I dreamed a dream.
          As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
          Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
          For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
          One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

          After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
          I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

The poem goes on to tell that at times there was only one set of footprints, and those were low points in the life of the author. Jesus tells her that those were the times when he carried her. 

Now the poet's message is a poignant one; and I have no intention of minimizing it. Nevertheless, when I consider it alongside the Gospel account of the disciples on the toad to Emma-us, I realize that I am satisfied with neither: not the blindness of the Gospel travelers nor the unknowing of the woman walking the beach. My greatest desire is to be continually aware of Jesus' presence in my life.