(By Melissa Millis)
Most of us are not “on the road” these days, except for the occasional stroll down the middle of the road - a rather enjoyable habit that many of us will likely need to break... eventually. It’s hard to journey with people in the midst of the quarantine. And yet, that’s what we’re called to as followers of Jesus - to be the Church - in relationship, in community with people.
Our creativity is showing. I’ve witnessed small groups of people “tailgating” to meet with family or friends with ample distancing. I have gone on social distancing walks and rus with people, in order to meet in person instead of engaging on a screen (which can feel lonely and isolating!).
“On the road” we converse. We listen. We learn. We form community.
Conversation has long been valued as a part of Trinity’s communal rhythm. In different seasons, we’ve veered toward more “meetings”, but always we value hearing one another’s stories. Part of the vision for Trinity says that we are,
“discovering that knowing and being known in relationship is the best way” we “know how to encounter the love of Jesus in and for the world.”
Showing up “on the road” is presence. Here, we encounter the love of Jesus.
Again and again throughout the Gospels, Jesus makes himself known, not to those in high positions of power or among the priests, but among the body. On the road to Emmaus, Jesus reveals himself to disciples. Check out the conversation Jesus has as he reveals himself.
Take a moment to contemplatively read Luke 24.13-35.
Looking closely at this scene, we might consider a few things. We might wonder who the “two of them” are? One is Cleopas - not someone we know much about. He and his wife are mentioned in John 19.25. So, it is possible that his wife is the companion on the road to Emmaus. We don’t know for sure. What is clear is that this familiar appearance story is among those who are ordinary followers of Jesus, not those in authority or those who maintain systems of power. The two are walking out of Jerusalem, literarily implying a journey away from hope. Seven miles is plenty of time to recount the story and to share the experience, as it becomes woven into their identities and lives.
This is naturally what we do as people who embrace story, relationship, and conversation. Trinity’s practices state that,
“As we discover the unfolding story of God together, we practice LISTENING to hear the Spirit and the voices of one another, LEARNING what it means to be grounded in, and following Jesus Christ, together.”
We ground ourselves in the story of God. Sometimes this is a confusing road to walk. Seriously! When Jesus came up and walked with the disciples, in their sadness, they didn’t recognize him. We might wonder, “what form is Jesus in?” There’s a lot of mystery to embrace here. Ironically, Cleopas said, “Are you the only one in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard what happened…?” As if Jesus doesn’t know! Clearly, Cleopas is confused. His experience has been disorienting.
As we might expect of Jesus’ conversational relationship style, his response comes in the form of a question. That’s what good conversation is - questions of curiosity that lead to engagement in the story of God at work in the world. The retelling of the story grounds us. Sometimes we retell joyful stories... and sometimes painful or disorienting ones... as we incorporate our experiences and memories into the fabric of our being. Cleopas then shares some details that blame others for the unfolding of events, only exacerbating his own confusion and illuminating his own disbelief.
Jesus calls out his disbelief, which is a bit obtuse. But, Jesus also understands the disorientation. A suffering Messiah is a bit of an oxymoron because it indicates that in the suffering and resurrection, Jesus embodied the fullness of salvation. This was a reversal of the people’s messianic expectations and understanding of power dynamics. So, Jesus recounts the story of God at work among the people, grounding their experience in the larger story of God.
I imagine that might have taken a while! Good thing that country road to Emmaus was a seven mile journey.
And then they arrived in Emmaus. Rather than departing from the disciples, Jesus joins them at the table, taking them up on the invitation to stay. In the blessing and sharing of the bread, they recognized him. The Greek word used for their recognition is one of knowing, intimately. It is as if they catch a glimpse of God through a moment where time is experienced as the merging of heaven and earth - kairos time - the Kingdom of God at hand. Divine presence was experienced.
Maybe Christ showed up in Spirit - that fire they felt inside themselves as they conversed on the road - as Jesus showed up not when, where, or how they imagined!
And this is the good news. Christ is with us, recognized in the Spirit, our companion.
Going back to Jerusalem - toward hope - they gathered with friends, comparing stories of their experience of Jesus being revealed to them.
I wonder how we move toward hope as we gather, compare stories of our experience of Jesus being revealed among us today?
Jesus continues to make himself known to us in the spirit of community, found in conversation. The Spirit is our companion. We all could use a companion these days. John 14.26 says that the Spirit will be not only our companion, but advocate, continuing to reveal the things Jesus made known in conversation among the first disciples.
This week’s practice is conversational prayer, as we consider the Spirit as Companion who is made known to us, intimately. This practice may seem a bit strange, but it is simply conversation. The spirit of community is found in conversation, as the Spirit draws us into the Story of God and invites us to join in.
As you engage in conversation, how do you experience the Spirit as a companion like the resurrected Jesus being made known among the early disciples?
As we find ourselves “on the road”, journeying with God and one another, may we hear the Companion’s invitation to discover and embody the love of Jesus in the world.