Today we see the gospel begin with mention of my favorite bible stories. Notice the whole gospel can work without that mention. So why is it so important to begin with the reference of the Emmaus story? Let’s go back an additional two thousand years. In the book of Numbers, there is the famous story of the twelve spies. Moses asked twelve men, one from each of the tribes of Israel to do reconnaissance of the promised land and to report back to him.

The twelve spies went out and followed Moses’ orders but when the returned they gave Moses a report that the land was inhabited by huge giants and basically made it appear that these people were undefeatable. Then they spread discouraging reports that the land was filled with giants so big that the Jews would have appeared as mere grasshoppers to them. It because there was a faction of the Jews who left Egypt who wanted to return there. The reason is because, yes, they were slaves, but there was no uncertainty in their lives.

God grew angry that these people did not trust Him so and rebelled against them. So He planned to smite them. Moses and Aaron pleaded with God not to do this as it would make Our God appear as a vicious God who leads His people out to the desert and kills them. He then then relents but promises that none of that generation will see the promised land. Hence begins the forty years in the desert.

If you look carefully at the Emmaus story it is almost the opposite. There we see two disciples not twelve spies. But notice that they are in a distant place from Jerusalem just as the spies were distant but in the future land of the Jews and the camp was a distance away. They are seeking the truth and the Resurrected Lord guides them on their journey to where they see Him in the breaking of the bread, which is the sign of the new promised land. This leads them to run back and report to the others not falsehood but truth that Jesus did resurrect from the dead. Now, unlike the curse received when the people rebelled against God, now they receive the blessing of the Lord.

Again, what is important is to notice that the intention of the twelve spies was to lead the Jews back to Egypt. They had grumbled since leaving Egypt that life was better there and they knew what tomorrow would bring. Granted they were slaves, but they were slaves who ate what they wanted. In the desert they were completely at the mercy of the providence of God and some Jews preferred to be slaves in Egypt.

They had rejected the gift of God and demanded that their will  be done. The two men on the way to Emmaus now go back with great joy and telling others the truth that now death is destroyed and Jesus Christ has given them the new life. They realize He is the messiah. They had sought God’s  will and find the reward. Now they will find that the more they seek God’s will, the more they will find joy.

There is a lesson there. When it comes to God’s will never force your will on God, you will lose. Seek the Lord and wait with great expectation on His providence. Regardless of what will happen in your life.

When you demand your will be done and start making it happen, such as we see in the case of the twelve spies spreading discouraging reports and starting rebellion, then expect that you will experience the wrath of God in its fullness and I have seen that happen in some cases it becomes a news headline.

When you wait patiently on the Lord, expect to see God’s will done and beyond your imagination.

This is what the men on the way to Emmaus come to find out. They are discouraged first, but,  Jesus presents Himself to them in a way they realize what is beyond their dreams. Then they are filled with hope and spread that hope. The spies, remember, returned and spread discouragement.

Many people who demand the Church their way, will act similarly to the spies. They will make discouraging statements against the Church and Christ. They will not find the joy that Christ offers His followers or for that matter the eternal life either.

We see it often. I remember there was the case of Catholic parishioners who wanted to commit an act of revenge for their parish being named as one to close. So they forced the neighboring pastor out from his parish. Working closely with the local newspaper they began a smear campaign that forced him to leave the parish. Claiming that he had a hand in the parish being closed, when in fact he did not. They succeeded they in demanding their will be done. But, they cannot and will not find God that way. It just does not work.

Beware of those who send out discouraging reports and seek to bring you back to Egypt or wherever they want to take you. They will lead you astray and you can never find the truth. They may appear to know what they are talking about but appearances can be deceiving. They are in many places. Remember to always trust in the Lord at all times, even when life seems discouraging. Praise God at all times and know to trust where He is leading you and like the disciples at Emmaus, you will experience joys greater than you could imagine ever.

The spies never again saw the promised land, they died in the desert. No one who followed them ever saw the promised land either, they too died in the desert. The disciples found eternal life, and joy beyond their wildest dreams and imaginations which we see begin at the rest of the Gospel following the mention of the disciples on the road to Emmaus.

Wait upon the Lord and experience His Joy, the joy that He alone can give.

God Bless You,

Fr. Robert J Carr

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