Not Walking Alone
One of my most favorite passages in the New Testament Gospels is the story of the Emmaus Walk: Luke 
24:13-34. But I have said this more than once. For those who aren’t familiar with the passage it is about a moment that takes place after the resurrection of Christ but before the ascension. The passage begins with:
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,
It goes on to tell that as they discussed Jesus joined them but they were kept from recognizing him. Eventually they do recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread.
I have always loved this passage and limited my vision of it to the grand and great moments of life. It was read at my wedding (What a mistake!) and other significant times. Something has happened in the past two days that has finally woken me up to realize that this great journey, this Emmaus Walk, is not just about those great and grand moments and relationships but occurs on a daily basis… if we but open our eyes to see.
First there was the meeting and greeting a dear friend who I haven’t had a heart to heart with in months. We keep each other up on our mutual lives through quick calls, emails and hellos through a mutual friend; but to have the time to have one of those get down and dirty — no such luck. Until yesterday. I went to her office to deliver some much delayed paperwork and instead of sitting down over a cup of coffee; seeing that I had on my tennis shoes she strapped on hers and we went for a walk. And we talked with each other about everything that had happened. She told me about her very sick mother and we cried. I told her about my divorce and we cried. She told me about her feeling out of control and we screamed. I told her about my frustration and anger and loss and we screamed some more. And then we both laughed about something silly and stupid. But when it was all done we both felt better. We had prayed in the presence of Christ by holding each other up in trust and truth and love.
Today I had lunch. A older woman who is truly struggling at 60plus to come into her own. We see each other often because we are in the same Church and she attends many of the classes I run or teach. But we rarely have the time to just talk. This time we sat at table eating breakfast for lunch and we talked with each other about everything that had happened. She shared her frustration with her health and family. I caught her up on my divorce. We laughed and we cried. But when lunch was all done we both felt better. We had prayed in the presence of Christ by holding each other up in trust and truth and love.
Tonight, after a long day which ended with my receiving and responding to a frustrating email from my now ex-husband, I called a friend. He listened while I shared my anger and frustration. He listened while I share my fear and concern. He listened and even though this “walk” was a one way conversation I felt his compassion and concern coming through loud and clear even when he wasn’t sure what to say. Adn I believe he knows that I am alway ready and willing to hold him up in the same way if his need was to vent. And when the call was all done I know I felt better. We had prayed in the presence of Christ by holding each other up in trust and truth and love.
How fortunate am I that in less then two days I had three friends to go on an Emmaus walk with. Now you may say that our conversations were not about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ which is what the two on the road were discussion and I would respond — you are right in that we didn’t directly talk about Jesus’ death and resurrection. But each of these conversations were Easter conversations. The death of a way of being; the death of a marriage; the death to old ways; a death to security and certainty. And each of these conversations were with people of faith who helped me remember and allowed me to remind them that death is not the end. There are all sorts of new beginnings awaiting us. Yes, how fortunate am I that my eyes have been open to the daily Emmaus walks we take. Every time we take the time to share our fears, joys, concerns, frustrations…. in open and honest dialogue and everytime we hold up someone who is sharing their fears, joys, concerns, frustrations…in open and honest dialogue we walk with God. Because we believe that God is love and where there is love their is God. Emmaus Walk
Thank you, Lord for your life and your love. I remain, your servant in Christ,
Theresa
Tags: death, Emmaus Story, friendship, life, Love, Luke 24, resurrection, sharing, support
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