Friends and companions are always helpful in our life. When we have good companions and friends, it matters a lot. When we go for walk, we take companions with us at times. God Himself becomes a companion in our life journey, it is certainly exciting and helpful. We have a story in the Holy Bible, where Jesus walked with two friends on their way. On Sunday morning, the day of the Resurrection of Jesus, two of his disciples walked from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Emmaus is a city about 7 miles from Jerusalem. It was then; a stranger joined them in their conversation. The conversation was all about Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. The gospel does not say much about the identity of these two disciples. From the gospel narratives, we know that they were not just the ordinary disciples who knew Jesus from a distance or intellectually, but someone who has a deeper bond and relationship with Jesus.
” …He is with us in the midst of all the violence, shooting, rioting, confusion and all that is happening around us; and we know that He is still in charge... “
When we look at Mark 15: 40, we learn that Mary, wife of Cleophas, is the mother of James the less, a cousin brother, and an Apostle of Jesus. Mark 16:1 tells that Mary, the mother of James, brought spices to prepare the body of Jesus. When we look at Luke 24:10, we learn that the women who went into the tomb and to whom Jesus appeared include Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary Mother of James. These two disciples on the way to Emmaus were not just disciples alone, but members of the extended family of Jesus. This Mary was at the foot of the Cross; this Mary was on Sunday morning to go into the tomb of Jesus. Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene first, then to two of these disciples, then to his own Apostles. This tells us how closely they were bonded with Jesus and how well He was connected to them. The tragedy of the crucifixion tore their lives, and they were frustrated and disappointed on their way to Emmaus.
This narrative of Jesus walking with these two disciples to Emmaus gives us two messages. The first and foremost is about the need for walking and bonding with Jesus. These disciples were bonded with Jesus, and they were with Him even at the foot of the Cross and were looking for Him in the tomb. So, Jesus revealed Himself to them even before appearing to His own Apostles. This is an invitation to be bonded with Him. Devotion to the Holy Eucharist is a way of bonding with Christ. The disciples realized Him only at the breaking of the bread. It is in this Eucharist we touch, we taste, and we experience Him who rose from the dead.
The second message is about the companionship with Jesus in our life journey. It is always good to have good and faithful companions on our journey, and especially if the journey is long and tiring. Our life is a journey from the Holy City of Jerusalem to the beautiful City of God experience, Emmaus, where they experienced the Risen Christ. Like our journey from the Womb to the Tomb. In this journey, like the disciples, we too are frustrated, disappointed, upset, overwhelmed, and even preoccupied with different kinds of worries and concerns in various situations in our lives. But we think most of the time that we are alone, but the good Lord is always walking with us. Even this time of Covid 19, He is walking with us. He is with us in the midst of all the violence, shooting, rioting, confusion and all that is happening around us; and we know that He is still in charge. All that we need is his grace to open our eyes to see Him, touch Him, and experience Him amid our pains and preoccupations. May God bless us all.
May God bless us all.
Lovingly,
Fr Tomy Puliyan, MSFS
“Holiness and Happiness through Wellness and Wholeness”
Good morning, Fr. Tomy, what a moving read to wake up too.
Good Morning, Fr Tomy.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder. My brother, Deacon Sam, who just passed, once sang the old hymn,“What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, to the school children as part of his homily. I’ll never forget that message.
Have a great day!
Dianne McMasters
Beautifully written, Father Tomy, and well needed in these times. Thank you.
A soothing thought for stressful times — I pray we all arrive at a place of peace in our Lord’s company–