The Road to Emmaus

Today we leave Jerusalem. Each morning here I have walked about 100m from the hotel to a small cafe with a green outdoor area and WiFi. It is here that I have been able to update the blog. It is a great spot to watch early morning Jerusalem.

In an hour Jacob meets us to take us to Emmaus. For many years I had the romantic idea that when I managed to visit the Holy Land I would walk the road to Emmaus. The scripture tells us that it is only seven mile from Jerusalem. The problem is that no one knows exactly where Emmaus is. This is complicated by the knowledge that our 21st century measurement of seven miles is not the same as the ancient measurement. Anyway today we will drive to a place commonly believed to be THE Emmaus and there we will celebrate Mass.

The fact that we do not know the way to Emmaus is not a problem for us, because, wherever we are, God knows the way to us. At this place we will celebrate the Mass: they recognised at the breaking of the bread that he had been with them all along. But their eyes were closed by all that had been happening.

As we near the end of this part of our pilgrimage our prayers are again with the whole group. What we have been through has been traumatic. Such struggle can often close our eyes, but He is always with us.