When Faith Begins to Burn Again

The Road to Emmaus #1, by Daniel Bonnell

Two disciples walk sullenly away from Jerusalem. Their steps are heavy with grief, their minds full of questions. The one in whom they had placed all their hope for a better world has been publicly executed. The future is dark and uncertain. The road away from Jerusalem is lined with disappointment, confusion, and fear. They wonder where God has gone in all of this.

As they walk and talk about what has happened, a stranger joins them on the journey. He listens patiently and encourages them to tell their story. They are surprised that he seems unaware of the events surrounding Jesus of Nazareth.

They tell him everything. The crucifixion. The empty tomb. The report from some of the women in their group who said they had seen angels and were told that he is alive.

As they continue walking, the stranger begins to open up the Scriptures to them. He teaches them the deeper story of God’s love and faithfulness. As he speaks, the fog of confusion and grief slowly begins to lift. Something begins to stir within them. The quiet fire of faith is being rekindled. Later they will look back in wonder and say, “Were not our hearts burning within us?”

When evening comes, they invite the stranger to stay with them. At table he takes bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to them. In that simple and sacred moment their eyes are fully opened. They recognize that the risen Christ had been listening, accompanying, and teaching them all along.

This same mystery continues today. At every Mass, God speaks to us through the Scriptures and is revealed to us in the breaking of the bread.

Faith Sharing Questions:

1.Can you think of a time when your faith was renewed by some experience of grace? What caused your heart to burn within you at that time?

2. What questions or struggles about faith do people carry today that are similar to the disciples’ confusion on the road?

3.After recognizing Jesus, the disciples returned to Jerusalem with renewed faith. Has your faith ever caused you to change  direction in our life?