BLOG 16

I wrote the following after an “encounter” with a modern “Emmaus Road” stained glass window; of which I have one poor postcard copy en route.

It’s from a church in Millington (two stages before York)

My viewing it, reading about it and praying had quite a profound effect on me and led to this reflection, which I’ve decided to share:

Reflections based upon the Emmaus Road Experience

1.  Walking Dejectedly

This is when we walk, perhaps with, perhaps without, a destination, unsure of where we are going - weighed down by the world’s wishes                                                                                          (why am I doing this pilgrimage?)

2.  Encounter

 

We meet someone, or engage with something, which lifts our spirits – suddenly things begin to drop into place

(the purpose of my pilgrimage) 

3.  Invitation

Not only are we invited, we have to “invite” the encounter, the situation, to rest with us.                                                                         (inviting Christ into my pilgrimage)

4.  Hospitality      

We have to give and receive hospitality    - of ourselves, of others, we have to spend time with them, eat and drink with them.                (accepting pilgrimage hospitality)

5.  God apparently no longer visible

When we recover from our spiritual encounter, we need to “hold it in our hearts” – let it rest with us – and keep it for the desert times.         (holding on in our pilgrimage)

6.  Encounter with the Word

As well as the above, we need to let the encounter and the Word of God begin to burn within our hearts – to re-charge us.                             (refiring our pilgrimage)

7.  Mission

Charged up, we need to run uphill even with heavy loads and be prepared to share our encounter, tell others that we have seen the risen Lord                                                          (making our pilgrimage available to others)

These seven stages will need to sustain us, on our journey, until maybe one day, we end up walking along dejectedly again.                                  Bill the pilgrim