"That same day two of them were walking to the village of Emmaus, about seven miles out of Jerusalem. They were deep in conversation, going over all these things that had happened." Luke 24:13

This Sunday’s scripture from the Gospel according to Luke is the story we have come to call "the Road to Emmaus" story. This is one of those accounts of the disciples walking along together on the road, talking as close friends do. You see it all the time as people here walk around the lakes. Two people, their heads bent toward one another, telling the truth of their lives as they walk along, avoiding a puddle here, a crack in the sidewalk there. While the world is alive around them, they have only attention for one another.

Along side them comes a supposed stranger who begins to walk and talk with them. They didn’t recognize the person as Jesus. Who knows why? They just didn’t. It was only later when they came to the end of their walk and invited this stranger to have dinner with them did they realize that it was Jesus who had been walking with them all along. They shared bread, they shared blessing, they looked into the eyes of one another, and they knew that the Holy was in their midst .After he had left them again they checked in with one another: "Didn’t we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road?"

What a story!  These scriptures which we read in these days after Easter are account after account of Jesus showing up to those who loved him and walked through the world with him. While our rational minds can ask all kinds of questions about these stories, for me they point to one very important message. This Jesus, this Incarnation of God, still continued to show up in people’s lives, offering words of comfort and hope. "My peace I leave with you." he said over and over again.

As I reflect upon these words this week, here is my prayer. May every young man and woman serving in our military, far from home and what they hold dear, feel that Presence of Peace  walking with them. May everyone whose home is being threatened in these desperate times, know the assurance of a Love that will not shame them or let them go. May every child who lives in fear be able to reach out in the night and find a caring hand that is strong and sure. May every senior who waits in loneliness for a friendly visitor look down the long hall to see someone with the face of Jesus coming there way.

And when the Fire of the Holy burns within us, help us each to take notice and give thanks, deep, deep, thanks.