‘Our road to Emmaus’

Several years ago as I was preparing for the fall catechetical workshops, I was reading a book that reflected solely on the journey to Emmaus. The author’s whole point was based on the beginning of this scripture passage: "Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus." (Luke 24: 13) The author spoke of how in the scriptures it speaks of Cleopas, but it does not mention the name of the other disciple. The author then went on to say that the other person could very well have been you or me. He then stated that if this were the case, how then are our hearts burning and how are we recognizing Christ in the breaking of the bread?

As we journey through this Lenten season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, are we finding our hearts burning?

For the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, they were transformed, a change of heart took place, and they were led into a deeper relationship with Christ. Isn’t this what we hope for -- for our young people and ourselves?

Two major events have just been completed with our youth over the past month. Two weeks ago 26 young men and women encountered Christ in a new and special way through the TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) weekend, and by the end of this weekend we will have completed our annual high school youth rally with close to 100 youth participating. As I reflect on these two events, I wish that everyone could have been present at them. Why? Simply because of the transformation that takes place in each of the youth. For you see, the life of each of these young people has been changed because of what has taken place.

What a wonderful and awe inspiring sight it is to see this gradual change of heart as each young person finds themselves falling more deeply in love with Christ, joining in a circle of friends who support each other and sharing a common bond for life. There is simply something about these gatherings that brings our youth closer together. In many beautiful ways, Christ has the hearts of our young people burning, and more importantly, they are coming to recognize Christ in the breaking of bread.

Why then would I be writing a column that sounds so much like all the rest? Because I believe in what we are doing. I believe that the young people who participate in our diocesan events find themselves being transformed and becoming better citizens in this world we live in. Thus, I want more young people to experience these same things. One hundred and twenty-six young people have formed life-long friendships and have come to know Christ in a deeper way over the past month.

But where are the other 2,000 plus young people? Yes, I realize that their lives are transformed through other events as well, but again, I know what awaits them if they say no to something else and yes to a diocesan event. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we knew that over 2,000 of our youth were experiencing the same thing at the same time, being guided by the Spirit as our hearts burn within us? Do I have a passion for this? You bet I do!

On the road to Emmaus, Christ joined in the journey. Christ is present in the life of each young person. It then is our job, our responsibility, part of our baptismal calling to help our youth better recognize Christ in the breaking of bread, to help them be more open to his invitation.

"When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?" (Luke 24: 30 - 32)