Two Invitations—(3rd Sunday of Easter)
This week, we have a touching Gospel story. It is about two disciples traveling to Emmaus. Jesus has died and been buried, and his body is missing. The hope that Jesus would save Israel has been shattered. The disciples are hiding in fear for their lives in Jerusalem.
These two disciples are walking away, trying to put some distance between themselves and Jerusalem. They are discouraged and confused. It is only 7 miles, so likely no more than a 2-hour walk.
They may have been heading home because Jesus was gone, and they were seeking meaning. Maybe they were escaping danger. It doesn’t really matter because we understand what’s most important. They were together and feeling discouraged. All their hopes seemed lost. They were friends trying to figure things out together as they walked.
Jesus asks to join them on their journey. He is just another traveler. Jesus reaches out first and asks them to let him share their journey. He invites them to share their disappointment and feelings of hopelessness. He invites them to tell their story.
Without even knowing what is happening, Jesus addresses their disappointment and despair simply by listening and offering a new perspective from the Scriptures. He dissolves their grief and replants hope in their hearts.
The second invitation comes from the travelers. They invite Jesus to stay with them and share a meal. During the sharing, they recognize Him, and their hearts reignite with hope and love. Their despair is overcome, and hope is renewed. They realize it’s Jesus.
Two invitations brought their hearts to burn with hope. It took two invitations for them to recognize Jesus. First, Jesus asks to walk with them, and then they invite Jesus to stay with them.
It’s the same when we feel sadness, doubt, and despair. When life feels confusing, it takes two invitations to restore our hope and deepen our faith.
We might not always notice it. But when we are hurting, Jesus is constantly reaching out with an invitation to walk alongside us. He is willing to enter the mess with us and be present, listening to our story. Of course, we need to have eyes ready to see and hearts open to welcome Him. Just like the two disciples on the way to Emmaus, He will surely come in a way we do not immediately recognize. But He will come. And if we listen, we will hear His call to walk with us.
Then it’s our turn to extend the second invitation. Once more, with humility and longing, we say, “Stay with me.” “Give me hope.”
Only then are our eyes opened, and our hearts burn within us because we once again recognize the power and love of God.
These two disciples traveling to Emmaus had no idea they were being invited. They were then asking Jesus to stay with them. But they followed their broken hearts and were open to God’s movement in their lives.
God came to them, and they were healed. Through their healing, they recognized His presence. The same is true for us. When life feels heavy and burdens seem too much to bear, seek out the invitations and welcome Jesus (in whatever form He takes) to walk with you and stay by your side. It’s about accepting the invitation to share our burdens and allowing another to be the living presence of Jesus.
It is about understanding that when we live in the heart of Jesus, we are called to be Jesus for someone else carrying a heavy burden.
Jesus walks with us, especially when our burdens feel heavy. He accompanies us through others who invite us to share our struggles. There is nothing more holy than accepting someone else’s offer to share our burdens. Nothing is more sacred than inviting someone to stay with us in our pain and hurt. It is in these moments that we see and recognize Jesus alive and present among us.
“My Lord and my God.”
In God’s Unending Love,
Gwen Coté,
Pastoral Associate
