The story of  “The Road to Emmaus,” is well known to most. It is a story with which I like to pray.  I can imagine being one of the disciples, dejected about the loss of the man that I followed and came to love. I feel betrayed because he convinced me that he came to be our savior. Instead he was humiliated, tortured and killed. I have heard that others found his tomb empty and think he is alive, but I feel foolish and embarrassed that I believed in him and unwilling to make that mistake again . We are walking home, unsure of what the future holds when we come upon this stranger who does not know what has happened. He joins us on the road to Emmaus which gives me an opportunity to tell him what has occurred. He is a good listener so it is easy to let the whole story come tumbling out. His calm demeanor has a bit of a healing effect.

After listening to our story, he asks if we did not know that the messiah had to suffer in order to enter into his glory. That does not make much sense to me. It is not what anyone would expect for someone who is to be our savior. He then starts telling us the stories of the Bible that refer to the promised savior. I learned the stories of the prophets when I was young, but these stories sound different in his telling. It is a different kind of saving that was being prophesied.

We arrive at our destination feeling confused, tired and hungry. It is getting late so we invite the stranger to stay with us. When we sit at table, the stranger blesses the bread, breaks it and gives it to us. It is then that I recognize the stranger as Jesus. He has revealed himself in the blessing and breaking of the bread.

There have been many times when I have thought having the opportunity to hear Jesus preaching and seeing him working miracles would make it so much easier to believe. An honest placement of myself in the story of the road to Emmaus helps me to realize that would not make the difference. Jesus reveals himself to me every time I receive the Eucharist. He is there with me throughout my days. All I have to do is be willing to open my eyes and my heart and recognize his presence.