Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

We have only to open our ears, eyes and hearts to witness the presence of Jesus in our midst. This is evident in the recounting of the experience of the despairing disciples on the road to Emmaus. The two despondent men are walking along trying to make sense of the crucifixion of Jesus, the Messiah. Someone approaches them wanting to know what they are talking about. It is Jesus but they do not recognize him. Jesus at first admonishes them with “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!” Jesus then opens their ears with an account of the prophets’ prediction of his coming beginning with Moses. Later he opens their eyes to the reality of his presence in the breaking of the bread. They then realize by the burning in their hearts that God is present.

Jesus can do the same for you and me. We have only to ask for this joy.

St. Ignatius gives a way to pray that will lead to this conversion experience through imaginative prayer. Place yourself in the scripture walking with these two men in despair and allow Jesus to be present to you.

—Terresa Michele Ford is an Ignatian spiritual director, palliative care chaplain and artist who has written for Ignatius House Jesuit Retreat Center, Catholic Women Preach, and the Black Catholic Messenger. She holds an M.Div. from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University and an MFA in painting from the Maryland Institute College of Art and serves as a Reflector for the Ignatian Volunteer Corp.

Jesus, lover of my soul, open my ears, my eyes and my heart to your presence in my life. Show me mercifully your movements from day to day. Explode my heart with your love. In your precious and sacred name, I pray. Amen.

—Terresa Michele Ford