Lessons from Emmaus Road for the Anxious and Discouraged

by Randy Hain | April 8, 2021 12:04 am

"Supper at Emmaus" (detail) by Caravaggio[1]
“Supper at Emmaus” (detail) by Caravaggio

We are all familiar with the “walk to Emmaus” (Luke 24:13-35) by two of Christ’s disciples the evening of the Resurrection in Luke’s Gospel.  These two men, overcome with hopelessness and discouragement, were talking about the incredible events they had witnessed over the previous few days as they were walking to their home village of Emmaus outside of Jerusalem. 

As I re-read this Gospel passage recently, I was struck by the parallels with our modern world.  These two men were anxious, despondent, and uncertain of their future and had even begun referring to Christ in the past tense.  Considering the times we live in, don’t we sometimes act and think like these two disciples?

The challenges of dealing with Covid-19, the obstacles for Catholics to attend Mass and receive communion, the uncertain economic outlook, the divisiveness in society and the eroding of values and morality in public life are just a few of the challenges causing many of us to feel discouragement, anxiety and even a lack of faith.  The valuable lessons of Emmaus Road are manifold, but four were very apparent to me as I reflected and prayed:

Please reflect on these lessons as I have and pray for the wisdom, discernment and courage to make necessary changes.  We are all susceptible to discouragement, anxiety and doubts, but we serve a wonderful, living God who is faithful to His promises.  Think about how the disciples felt as they discussed their walk with Jesus:  “Did not our hearts burn within us, while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32).  We too can experience our hearts on fire if we are faithful and open to the help and love He is always willing to provide.

Have faith, have courage and seek Him out.  He is waiting.


Editor’s Note:  Would you like to learn more about “regular Catholic heroes” and the joyful witness they give for Christ and the Catholic faith?  Randy Hain’s exciting sixth book, Joyful Witness: How to Be an Extraordinary Catholic (Servant Books) is available through Amazon and all Catholic bookstores!  All of Randy Hain’s books are available through Amazon[2].


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Endnotes:
  1. [Image]: http://www.integratedcatholiclife.org/wp-content/uploads/caravaggio-supper-at-emmaus-detail-featured-w740x493.jpg
  2. Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Hain/e/B005DJHUHY/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

Source URL: https://integratedcatholiclife.org/2021/04/randy-hain-lessons-from-emmaus-road-for-the-anxious-discouraged/