We are all pilgrims on the road through life!

It is not unusual whenever a family sets off on vacation or goes for a drive that one of the kids would ask (after about ten minutes on the road) “Are we there yet?” The child wants the journey to be over. He or she wants to get to where the family is headed, but quick! Looking back with hindsight, it seems that a lot is missed along the journey of life. We are, after all, people on the road, pilgrims, like the two disciples in today’s scripture who recounted their interesting story to the other disciples. This is truer now than ever before because of the rapid pace of change, and the accompanying uncertainty it brings with it. So, why not embrace the journey with all its uncertainty while we’re on it? Why not treat our passage through life as sojourners in a mysterious land. Our journey through life is really a pilgrimage of faith. On the way we learn a lot, meet some wonderful and some bad people, see extraordinary and awful things, make lots of mistakes, and experience life in a myriad of ways we could never have imagined. Many have made the trip before us, and many walk beside us. Let us make the most of it for it is an adventure of a lifetime, an adventure of discovery.

The story of the two disciples who encountered the risen Christ on the road to Emmaus and who rushed back to where the rest of the disciples were to tell them all about it picks up on the pilgrimage theme. In fact, pilgrimage is the favorite theme of St. Luke’s entire gospel. At the beginning of this gospel, Jesus began His ministry by instructing His disciples along the road (Luke 9:51). In today’s gospel story, Jesus’ instruction took place along the road (Luke 24/13-35), and reached its climax for the pilgrims from Emmaus when they were seated at table after a long day’s walk. There, at table, the two pilgrims finally “get it.” They finally understood the meaning of their pilgrimage and of all that had been happening to them. They recognized Jesus “in the breaking of the bread.” The whole of God’s intricate design in the lives of these pilgrims had been worked out in Jesus who opened up the scriptures to them while their hearts were burning inside them.

“What little sense you have,” says Jesus. He is talking to you. If you want to journey on the pilgrimage of faith, you must be open and receptive to the surprises that God has in store for you along the road. Being a person of faith means opening your minds to the Scriptures and recognizing that Christ is your constant companion through life. He is your companion in thousands of ways: meditating on the Scriptures, a gentle touch, an insightful word, a tiny gesture, helping a needy person, absorbing a sermon, sharing in the breaking of bread.

Here, on our pilgrimage through life, we meet Jesus like the pilgrims to Emmaus and the other disciples. He is our companion on our journey. Here, on the way, during our journey through life, is where Jesus becomes the Way, the Truth, and the Life for us. We develop insights about our role in life and link up with other pilgrims so that we don’t have to make the journey alone.

Enjoy your pilgrimage through life, but enjoy it with other like-minded people walking together with the guidance of the Holy Spirit who shows you the way.

Fr. Hugh Duffy