Psalm of Praise: Psalms 119:89-90
Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.
Bible Reading: Luke 24:13-16
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.
A Reflection
It’s good to talk. So much so that you can now get talking therapies free on the NHS. Therapies like counselling and cognitive behaviour therapy can help to overcome some of the emotional and psychological issues that we face. But not all problems are emotional, some are practical, some are financial, some are theological. Knowing the right person to talk to is important and I thank God for the different people I can talk to about such varied subjects an family, faith, computers, cars, finances and cooking, to name but a few.
Talking things through is nothing new and has always been a central part of pastoral care in the Christian Church. Walking on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus on that first Easter afternoon two followers of Jesus are talking together about the confusing events of the past few days, trying to make sense of them.
I wonder if you have people you can talk with about the matters that concern you both. It may be a spouse or a family member, it may be a friend, a neighbour or a family member. Thank God for them and pray for his blessing on this valuable relationship.
As these two followers of Jesus walked and talked Jesus came and walked along with them but, we are told, they were kept from recognising him. We’re not sure how that happened, maybe they were too engrossed in their confusion and their dejection to even look or maybe the resurrection of Jesus was so far from their expectations the possibility was never taken seriously. However it was, they were unaware that the risen Jesus was walking with them.
I wonder whether there are times when we are so consumed by the events around us that we fail to recognise that Jesus is actually walking with us.
As followers of Jesus, he promises never to leave is, but to be with us through his Holy Spirit. As we go through our daily life, the highs and the lows, the joys, the struggles, let us take time to become aware of his presence with us and to discover what difference that realisation makes.
A Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for the companions you have given me along the way, and for your presence in my life at every event and in every conversation.
Amen
To be in your presence.