Luke 24:30-31 - When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.

The last few days, we read about how God accompanied the ancient Israelites and provided them with mann in the desert. Here, in this story of the Emmaus Road from the New Testament, disciples find themselves coming alongside a fellow traveler, a companion on their journey. As they walk, their new companion explains to them the meaning of the events they recount. Then, when they sit down for the evening, he breaks bread with them, and they realize in that bread-breaking moment it is Jesus, their teacher.

"Companion" comes from the Latin words meaning "with" and "bread." It is one with whom we break bread. On the road to Emmaus, Christ gives the Bread of the Word to the disciples as well as the Bread of the Table that he takes, blesses, breaks and shares. In offering us the Bread of Life, Christ has become our companion. Emmanuel is with us, even as we anticipate his coming. In this time of "already but not yet," we pray that we will invite him, as these disciples did, to stay with us.

--Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,