Easter story offers good news on the road of life

It is always a joy to get some good news for a change. For Christians, we find this in the celebration of Easter because Jesus has risen! This is something very good.

Throughout His public ministry, Jesus showed great integrity and was a man of his word. He proclaimed what was true and fulfilled his promises. He was willing to suffer, ultimately giving his life on the cross. Jesus stated, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again” (Mk. 9:31).

His resurrection brought great hope to the world. The sadness and grief of the followers of Jesus turned to joy when they encountered the risen Jesus. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Gospel account of the Road to Emmaus.

On the morning of the resurrection, two disciples are leaving Jerusalem utterly confused, rejected and disillusioned. They are heading home not knowing what to expect. Along the road they encounter Jesus; however, they do not recognize him. He initiates the conversation by asking them what they were talking about. He is able to get them to tell their “tale of woe” and confusion. They unburdened their souls to this stranger.

Jesus is quite blunt in his response to these disciples, “Oh, how foolish you are and how slow of heart ...” (Lk. 24:24). Nonetheless, it is interesting to see the response of Jesus after this statement. Rather than rejecting the disciples he chooses to accompany them on their journey, Jesus opens up the scriptures and reveals to them that all history points to his role as a suffering servant who had to die so that he could rise to new life.

Jesus maintains a dialogue with them until they are properly disposed to opening their minds and hearts to him. This moment occurs when they ask Jesus to stay with them for a meal. It is in the “breaking of the bread” that their eyes are opened and they recognize him. After he vanishes from their sight, they say to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us on the road, when he was opening the scriptures to us?” (Lk. 24:32)

Jesus will remain a stranger to us unless we invite him to accompany us on the journey.

The Road to Emmaus is analogous to life. We are all on a journey that at times can cause us to be confused and disillusioned. At times we may even want to end the journey because it seems too difficult. We need someone to accompany us and inspire us so that with “burning hearts” we will not lose hope and give up. That person is Jesus, the Risen Son of God.

The early Christians called their weekly gathering the “breaking of the bread.” On the day of the resurrection (Sunday), they would offer praise and worship to God. Here they would be able to relive the Emmaus experience and journey with the Lord. This would renew their hope and give them joy in facing the challenges of life.

This same experience is offered in our churches and parishes throughout Niagara. Congregations gather as a community of faith to live the Emmaus experience and encounter the Risen Lord. I invite you to celebrate with one of those communities and to be enriched by the experience.

This Easter let us rejoice because Jesus Christ has risen from the dead and this indeed is good news!