We've used our two ears and one mouth; we've been the first stepping-stone by being there for someone; we've been the second stepping-stone by entering into friendly conversation, helping someone along their journey of life, perhaps in their searching for some meaning to life.

Now, to become the third stepping-stone, we look again at the encounter between Jesus and Cleopas and his companion as they came to the end of their journey on the road to Emmaus. (Luke XXIV, 28)

The relationship between them had grown to the extent that as evening came the two companions asked Jesus to stay with them. At this stage they still didn't recognise Jesus for who he was. Equally, Jesus didn't rush in to tell them - this they were to discover for themselves through what he did as well as what he said.

The recognition came whilst they were sitting at table together. Jesus took the loaf, said the blessing, broke it into pieces and

shared it with them. Then they recognised Jesus for who he was - the Risen Lord.

Suddenly there was meaning to all that had gone on during their walk along the road together. That initial nervous contact had grown into a realisation that Jesus had been with them throughout the journey - but they had had to discover it for themselves.

Furthermore, the story tells us that their

journey didn't end in the village of Emmaus. They set off back to Jerusalem to tell others of their experience and what they now knew.

The third stepping-stone for us, then, is to gently be the vehicle of discovery for those whom we are alongside. It is knowing how to respond, and when to respond, to the other.

It's likely that, if the two companions had not urged Jesus to stay with them and share a meal when they reached Emmaus, he would have gone on walking alongside over the next mile, and the next, and the next . . . . still unrecognised yet faithfully walking with them on their journey. (St. Luke tells us that "Jesus acted as if he were going further." [Luke XXIV, 28])

As Christians, we believe that God accompanies each one of us on the journey of life. We can help one another to discover his presence in the living Jesus and to discover the true direction of our lives, as did those two companions through their walk to Emmaus.

Trevor Davies

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