The Road to Emmaus and synodality

Luke’s deeply moving post Resurrection account of the two disciples meeting Jesus on the Road to Emmaus is a compelling metaphor for synodality.

Jun 03, 2022


By Justin Stanwix
Luke’s deeply moving post Resurrection account of the two disciples meeting Jesus on the Road to Emmaus is a compelling metaphor for synodality. Luke’s poignant story (Lk 24:17) offers us a concrete example of a listening and actively hearing journey — the new People of God engaging on a discerning missionary journey through genuine dialogue, scripture reflection, breaking of the bread and missionary response.

The “Emmaus three” were engaged in communion, participation, and mission, reflecting the essential elements of what Pope Francis is advocating through his revolutionary approach to synodality. Jesus had just left His tomb. The women who came with spices to anoint His body report that He was no longer there (Mark 16:1). The disciples were in disbelief.

The first step in a synodal way
Just why Cleophas and his companion took off on a journey to walk away from Jerusalem to the town of Emmaus some 11 kilometres away is not explained. They were downhearted, because their master who had spent every day teaching them for the last three years had been taken from them. Despite being heralded on what Christians now celebrate as Palm Sunday, Jesus quickly became despised by a rabble that persuaded a weak Pilate to hand Him over to be crucified. The crowds, including His disciples, watched Him being condemned, brutally treated, forced to carry a cross, and ultimately be crucified on Calvary. No wonder the Emmaus couple were disconsolate, and walking away from a challenging situation, perhaps searching, recognising change was undeniable. It was the first step in a synodal way.

The next step
A stranger appeared and, without disclosing his identity, enquired as to what they were talking about. His companions were amazed that he appeared to be ignorant about the tumultuous events that had befallen Jesus in Jerusalem. They recounted that their teacher, who had promised them he would redeem Israel, had been put to death. They attempted an imperfect explanation of the Jesus message. They talked and the stranger listened. In the way the stranger listened to them they experienced the next step of the synodality process. As the three continued their journey, the stranger who had listened intently to their blinkered description opened their minds using the Hebrew Scriptures to unfold the full story of redemption, about how the Messiah Jesus, through his life, death, and resurrection came to save the People of God. For a synodal Church communion l participation l mission In a video message for the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, Pope Francis reflects on the meaning of synodality and communion, insisting both are necessary as the Church embarks on the synodal journey.

Further understanding and wisdom
Despite hearing this story many times before, it resonated now in a whole new way. They were able to take another step in the synodal journey and grew in understanding and wisdom. The two disciples, sensing their synodal companion was about to move on, persuaded him to stay the night so as they could deepen their communion and participation with each other. As the stranger gave thanks, blessed, and broke the bread during the meal they recognised the Risen Lord.

They then shared how their hearts had burned along the road as he opened the scriptures for them. It took a while, it was not immediate, despite the clues. They had to wait until their faith was nourished by the living bread to obtain greater insight. They had been walking in the presence of the Risen Lord but were blind, and he disappeared from their physical sight. Yet He remained with them.

Continuing discernment in a synodal way
They rushed back to Jerusalem to share this message with the other disciples. Through telling of their encounter with the Risen Lord they deepened their communion. Consequently, they went out to the whole world as missionary disciples of Christ. They reported how their Master had vanished before the Emmaus pilgrims and about how amazing this was for them. The disciples, now revitalised, reassured their hearers that Jesus had not left them. On the contrary He had appeared on multiple occasions, including in Jerusalem in an upper room with closed doors. He promised them that He would be with them for all time. We also will know His presence if we listen in a synodal way.

The mission of synodality
Indeed, this is the case every time we gather, nourish ourselves on His Word, eat and drink his body and blood, and go forth to spread the Good News to the whole world, baptising in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit -- the mission of synodality. As the Emmaus and other disciples journeyed with Jesus in their synodal way, so are we invited. In our workplaces, families, and parishes, let us listen deeply to one another with the “ear of the heart”, dialogue with dynamic strength, pray, discern, celebrate Eucharist, be unafraid to make decisions.

Let us go forth from our church buildings and other communities as a pilgrim people, deepening our communion with God, ourselves, each other, and all creation. Let us participate fully, consciously and actively to spread the Good News and to be Good News for our world. Furthermore, let us commit to being on mission, for Christ’s sake. In so doing we commit ourselves to a synodal way of being. --LCI (https:// international.lacroix. com/

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