Before me is a treasured souvenir from the lakeside of Galilee. It is a replica of the fifth century mosaic depicting a basket of five barley loaves flanked by two fishes. Today's Gospel scene, the disciples meeting Jesus on the road to Emmaus, comes vividly to mind as we and the millions all over the world are nourished lovingly by the Lord through the scriptures, churches, shrines and gathering places where the Lord is recognised, the Word of God spoken, and the Eucharist re-enacted. This is as true for Kosovo, Omagh and every scene where brokenness prevails. Christ quietly makes himself present to his followers so that they can be forgiven for their misdeeds, comforted by his care, challenged by his truth, and encouraged by his Spirit.
We live in a world torn apart by war and its consequences - there are more wars and refugees now than ever before. We live on a continent intent on tearing itself apart with more powerful and "accurate" weapons than we ever thought possible. Night by night we are given a news diet of bombings, mounting numbers of displaced and shell-shocked families, and hopelessly inadequate refugee camps. In our own country we get disillusioned by a "peace game" rife with sabre-rattling, veiled threats and agreements with endless convenient loopholes.
This week we reflect in prayer on the Gospel story of the evening meeting of Jesus with his followers on their road home. They spoke openly of their disappointment, frustration, pain and anger. They had hoped Jesus would be their answer to prayer, their shepherd, saviour, Messiah. Instead their great hope was unexpectedly arrested and shamefully crucified. Their souls bowed down, their hopes dashed, they were returning home to take up the remaining pieces of their lives. They were so disconsolate they did not recognise Jesus in this stranger.
Seeing their hurt and pain, Jesus began by explaining their own history to them. Their history was a cycle, of distress, of learning to trust again, of gaining new insights into their God, the "I am who I am", and themselves. Theirs was the painful learning curve of living with God while at the same time recognising their own weakness, their own betrayals and their need to receive and give forgiveness to and from one another and God. It was through the many difficult experiences of their lives that the people of Israel grew in faith, hope and love of God and each other. Bad things happen to good people.
In our world, we are surrounded by unfairness, cruelty, disease, famine, natural disasters and unjust wars. God's promise to his people was that He would always be with them in their pain, to forgive, to encourage them and help them to overcome their dark times. As Jesus spoke of these things the disciples found their own hope returning, their hearts warming, their spirits rising. They were remembering, re-experiencing, recognising the presence of Jesus among them again. Few of us ever fully become the people we once hoped to be. As the years progress our body parts function with less efficiency, memories deteriorate, patience develops a shorter fuse. Few diaries are free from stain. The Miserere Psalm comes readily to heart and mind: "O Wash me more and more from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin." This prayer can pierce the clouds, but we need more.
As we rise to face another day we can find reminders of Jesus's presence in the words of scripture, the example of good friends, the Breaking of Bread, the singing of hymns, our holy places, our prayer mats, before our sacred candles or icons - all moments where we encounter Jesus on the road to Emmaus. We gather all the precious fragments of our life's mosaic, our shattered hopes and dreams and with strength made new, go forward again.
Like the disciples we beg Jesus to remain with us to give us strength, courage and hope in our troubled world.
"Stay with us, Lord Jesus, as evening falls.
Be our companion on our way.
In your mercy inflame our hearts and raise our hope
So that, united with your pilgrim people,
We may recognise you in the scripture
And in the breaking of the bread. Amen."
May the Lord bless you and keep you and may his smile shine on you this day.