Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk and talk with God?
There are a lot of stories in the Bible where people encountered God, but didn’t know it.
They saw Christ, they talked to Christ, but somehow they didn’t see that it was the Risen Jesus who was with him. It seems strange, but think of Mary Magdalene in the garden, of Peter out fishing, and many others.
For these two followers of Jesus on the Road to Emmaus, the Risen Christ wasn’t recognizable, even though they walked with him for about seven miles. Fortunately, they invited this man they had considered a “stranger” to stay with them when they arrived home at dusk. He accepted; it didn’t seem to matter to him that they were blind to his real identity.
What if the Risen One chooses to walk with you today? How will you see through the mundane and recognize God?
Maybe it is too much for you to imagine that God might be with you in some way you can’t perceive. If so, can you reach out to a stranger today, sharing your journey with her or him? See where your conversation and time together takes you. Afterwards, wonder if God was present in some way.
Scriptural Touchstone:
Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad.Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. Luke 24-13-29 NRSV
From the Easter Series at Chartres:
Pray with Jill Geoffrion 
I especially liked this question you posed, “What if the Risen One chooses to walk with you today? How will you see through the mundane and recognize God?” I want to do a better job noticing God’s presence throughout the day. Your other suggestion, that we reach out to others (even strangers) anticipating that God might be present (recognized at the time or in retrospect) resonates with my experience. I have experienced something like this often, but for some reason I seem hesitant to say confidently, “God was present” in the interaction. I know you are suggesting that God may even be in that other person, but my experience thus far as been limited to experiencing the Holy Spirit in the interaction. Thank you for the magnificent photos and meaningful questions and thoughts.
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