Stay with us Lord

Tomorrow, we will read together the story of Jesus meeting two disciples on the Road to Emmaus after his resurrection. As Luke Timothy Johnson writes,

There is an almost pastoral quality to this story. It has the feel of an evening spring walk in the country and a quiet conversation and a spiritual presence. No wonder monks pray at the end of the day in words taken from the disciples...."Stay with us Lord, for evening falls."

The two disciples are slipping out of Jerusalem, still in doubt and confusion after hearing early reports that the Jesus they know to be dead has been resurrected. Jesus comes to them, offering his presence in the midst of their troubles. Jesus does not force himself on the one-time disciples who no longer recognize their Lord, but remains available, waiting to be invited in.