On the Road to Emmaus Through Shadows of Loss

As we traverse the landscape of loss, the contours of grief are as familiar as they are daunting.   We hope to lead you toward the light of faith that pierces the darkness because of the cyclical nature of mourning.   Like the travelers on the road to Emmaus, we too can find unexpected companionship in Christ's presence, though He may at first seem a stranger alongside our weary path.

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Our theme music is:  Gentle Breeze by Yeti Music from the album "Uppbeat".
Additional Music and sound effects today by:   via Pixabay.

Transcript

Candee Lucas: 0:34

Welcome to this week's episode of Solace: Soul + Grief. I'm Candee Lucas. We're glad you're here. This podcast is sponsored by Catholic Cemeteries and the Diocese of San Jose. The death of a loved one is a very difficult life transition and we hope we can answer some of your questions, help you find where God is moving in your life as you continue your grief journey, and remind you of the power of your faith and love for God. You're always welcome in our circle of healing, love and care. A s we travel our grief journey and the roads that follow along many times, it seems, we get to the top of a hill and look down and see a well-worn path and wonder if we are traveling in circles. The trees of grief and sadness look very familiar here, and this bench we've stopped at looks well-worn. There are footsteps-- ours, our own footsteps and those who from time to time accompany us. And there is a garden or two along the way that we've spent good time in talking with God, crying with God, being safe in God's arms, being able to express all the anger that we have about the loss of our loved ones, express joy for their living, gratitude for what they brought to our lives, gratitude for the love they created and created with them in our lives--- for days of comfort and ease. We remember with them--- days of warmth, holidays, birthdays, special days that families remember. And we look down the road and we see it is well-traveled. But as we go back down that path, from time to time there'll be a fork and it looks like a new path. When I think of traveling that path, it's very hard not to think of the two travelers on the road to Emmaus.

Candee Lucas: 4:25

As you may remember from the Bible story that in the weeks after Christ's crucifixion there was much disbelief in the community. Many believed Jesus had been the Messiah, the general who was going to lead his people to ultimate triumph over the Romans and the occupiers, and who were stunned by his death. On the other hand, there were those relieved by his death, who thought this movement, led by a rabble-rousing rabbi, would quiet its followers dispersed, no longer having a figurehead, no longer even having John the Baptist, that those followers would scatter and flee into the countryside. And it appears that's exactly what happened with some of the disciples. For, as we know or as we don't know: probably only Peter and Mary Magdalene were at the crucifixion. So in the weeks that followed, when the risen Lord made his appearances in the upper room, and to Doubting Thomas.

Candee Lucas: 6:18

Then we hear the story of travelers, not necessarily disciples or followers, but people who knew of his reputation and knew how profound his death had been, were traveling to Emmaus when they encountered a stranger. And they excitedly told the stranger about the events that had occurred. And the wonder of it all. What did it mean? Was this Jesus, this Rabbi Yeshua? Was he king of the Jews? He most certainly was not the Messiah General they had hoped for. W hat had this meant and what would happen to his followers? And the stranger listened carefully and nodded appropriately in the story. And when the three of them stopped for a meal along the way, they still did not recognize Jesus Christ.

Candee Lucas: 7:48

In a famous painting of that supper it shows the servant girl off in another room who has looked at the strangers and recognized our Lord. Her face is an interesting mixture of recognition and love and gratitude. Because, as was his wont, Jesus appeared and was most real to the least of us and it seems like the stranger's traveling with our Lord recognized it late, and so his appearance is a reminder to us all to keep our eyes open along our grief journeys. Keep our eyes open on the path. If you look down, you see his footsteps there, that he has accompanied you all along, especially when you were in darkness, when the road ahead seemed mostly obscured. You could stop and feel his presence, f eel his love and healing, and perhaps he took your hand and you continued on the road.

Candee Lucas: 10:06

That concludes another episode of Solace. A new one drops every Friday. Please subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or find us on Google. I'm Candee Lucas, your host, Aftercare Coordinator, Chaplain and Spiritual Director at Catholic Cemeteries at Gate of Heaven in Los Altos, California. Please contact us if you have questions or seek spiritual direction. Our contact information is in the show notes. Be gentle with yourselves. Travel with God. Vaya con Dios. Thank you.