Joyous Pilgrims of Hope

MALTESE VERSION

Part I: On the Road to Emmaus: Luke 24:13–27

Presence: As I begin this walk, I take time to slow down and open my heart to the presence of Christ walking beside me. Like the disciples, I may carry questions, disappointments, or doubts. I let this journey become a space for honest reflection and spiritual openness.

Where am I spiritually right now? Am I walking towards God or away from Jerusalem — the place of spiritual encounter?
Like the disciples, do I carry disappointment, disillusionment, or unmet expectations?

I ask for what I wish: I dare to ask the Lord for the grace I wish to receive from Him while being hopeful that He will give me if I ask.

Text: Lk 24:13-27
¹³ Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; ¹⁶ but they were kept from recognizing him.

¹⁷ He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. ¹⁸ One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

¹⁹ “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. ²⁰ The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; ²¹ but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. ²² In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning ²³ but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. ²⁴ Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

²⁵ He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” ²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

Points for meditation:

• The two disciples walking to Emmaus are consumed by grief, doubt, and confusion. They speak of Jesus as “a prophet mighty in deed and word,” and confess, “We had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel” (v.21). To them, the crucifixion signalled failure, not fulfilment. Their Messiah had died, and with Him, their hopes. I try to feel what they feel while expressing my own doubts, confusion, etc.
• Jesus draws near — unrecognised — and begins to walk with them. When they express their confusion, He still walks with them even if they are going in the wrong direction! He rebukes them gently: “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” I notice their reaction to this rebuke… What about my reaction?
• Then, he starts to explain to them and says: “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”
• I let Jesus explain to me… What do I need to understand or see differently? How can I allow Scripture to guide my understanding?
• When have I failed to recognize Jesus walking with me? Can I recall a moment when He was present, even if I didn’t see it at the time?
• What burdens or hopes am I carrying on this walk?
• What do I need to surrender? What am I hoping for? Is there something I need to let go of or surrender to God?
• I take time to listen. Let the Scriptures speak. I let my heart burn again. I let Jesus walk with me, just as He did with the disciples. He is not far off. He draws near to those who seek Him.

Conversation: Speak freely to Jesus as a friend speaks to a friend or a servant to his master.

Extra texts:

What Did Jesus Explain? The Prophetic Thread

Though Luke doesn’t record Jesus’ exact words, we may try to piece together the likely prophecies He referenced — texts that foretold the suffering, death, and glory of the Messiah.

1. The Suffering Servant

“He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities… and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

2. The Rejected Stone

“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” (Psalm 118:22)

3. The Pierced One

“They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn…” (Zechariah 12:10)

4. The Risen King

“You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.” (Psalm 16:10)

5. The New Covenant

“I will make a new covenant… I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (Jeremiah 31:31–34)

Part II: Back to Jerusalem: Luke 24:28–35

Text: Lk 24:28-35
²⁸ As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. ²⁹ But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. ³⁰ When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. ³¹ Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. ³² They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” ³³ They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together ³⁴ and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” ³⁵ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

I pray using my imagination as I welcome Jesus at home asking Him: “Stay with us”.

These steps will help:

1. I familiarise myself with the passage – and I put the text aside.
2. Presence: I imagine the place and visualise the scene.
3. I place myself in the scene where I feel “invited” to stay.
4. I ask for the grace to welcome Jesus fully in me and into my life.
5. I engage ALL my senses:

• I see the persons: What do they look like?; Do I notice any facial expressions?; What emotions do they feel?; What is happening in their heart?

• I listen to what they say: I follow the conversations between the persons; I imagine the internal discourse in each character’s mind and heart.

• I observe what they do: What are the persons doing?; Let me feel free to come close to them and interact with them if I wish.

6. I converse with Jesus as one friend does with another; listen to His response.