The road to Emmaus is the story of sorrow to joy. These friends of Jesus trudge back to their village, leaving the disciples to figure out what to do next and ignoring the women who announced that they had seen the Risen Christ. Their hearts are heavy-burdened when they encounter a stranger that turns their world topsy-turvy. As they walk, He talks and suddenly their sadness is transformed into passion, their hearts burning.

Today was First Communion Sunday in many Catholic parishes and as I watched my friends’ son join us at the table, the priest grinned unabashedly. I wondered if Christ did that as he broke bread and vanished, laughing at these two men who at that very moment understood. Our pain is turned into joy at the table. Our sorrows are lifted. Hope is given. Mercy is new. Each road to Emmaus beckons us to have new eyes, to accept the transformation that is ours. Each time we walk down the aisle in our community, it is our road to Emmaus. Once again we can look at the host and see bread or we can let everything fall away and see Jesus. We can understand exactly what happened on that Good Friday.

Will you walk from pain to joy?

Peace,

Suzanne