The Emmaus Journey revisited


Joseph was going to a town called Cochin about 107 miles from Munnar and thinking about the past few years. While he was thinking, Jesus himself came near and went with him but Joseph did not recognise him. And Jesus said to Joseph “What have you been thinking about as you walk along?” Joseph stool still and looked sad.

Then Joseph remarked, “Are you the only stranger who does not know the things that have taken place in the past few years?” Jesus asked Joseph, “What things?” Joseph replied, “About the Christian Brothers and the last two Congregation Chapters. How they prepared a framework for their revitalisation called the Four Directions and the Heart of being Brother that outlined the Spirituality of being Brother for the World today. But all is not well with the Brothers. Many have left the Congregation, some see little meaning in the Eucharist, very few have Spiritual Directors to help them in their journey of faith, some do not have time for Personal Prayer. We had hoped that the Four Directions and the Seven Chapter Insights of the last two Congregation Chapters would transform the Congregation but the Brothers are afraid to be true disciples. They are afraid of risking their lives. It has now been five years since the last Congregation Chapter and a few would like to dare to be disciples. They see the possibility of transformation. But others have read the booklet-Dare to be Disciples and are afraid. They do not see Jesus, they are afraid they have been left alone. They have lost hope. Their lives have lost meaning”

Then Jesus said to Joseph, “Oh, How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe that all that has happened is part of God’s plan? Was it not necessary that the Christian Brothers should suffer these things for transformation to take place? The beginning with Edmund Rice and the Brothers who have inspired the Brothers over the years, he interpreted the significance of what has now been chosen as the Congregation Logo- the Cross and the New shoot which signifies New life and Transformation through dying to the ego.

As they came to the town to which Joseph was going, Jesus walked ahead. But Joseph urged him strongly saying, “Stay with me, as it is evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in and stayed with Joseph. When Jesus was at table with Joseph, he took the bread, blessed and broke it and gave it to Joseph. Then Joseph’s eyes were opened and he recognised Jesus and Jesus vanished from his sight. Joseph thought to himself, “Was not my heart burning with in me while he was speaking of God’s providential plan for the Brothers? Joseph returned to Munnar and there he found his Brothers and the Edmund Rice family gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed and he has appeared to us. Then Joseph told them what had happened on the road and how Jesus had been made known to him at the breaking of the bread. (Joseph Kamath)