ACCOMPANIMENT

Each of us has his own Emmaus experience. These are the moments of doubts, confusion, and fear; times when we were in a dilemma; we run away from our responsibilities or from the reality of our life. And the Lord comes to us, to accompany us in our search for explanation and understanding in life.

These were same the experiences of the two disciples of Jesus as they took the road to Emmaus away from Jerusalem, after His crucifixion and death.  Perhaps they were seeking for understanding, as they were talking and debating among themselves. And Jesus joined them as they grappled for the truth of what had happened in those days. Jesus accompanied them, until they arrived to the truth they sought; until their hearts were set on fire.

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In 2014, I was able to join the PSI program facilitated by the Emmaus Center. I was with my batchmates, and other seminarians and religious. For almost three weeks, we underwent intensive psychological exercises and activities geared towards self-understanding and the likes. We had each other as companions, as we faced the deepest realities of our lives. I would like to believe that Jesus too was there with us, accompanying us in our respective Emmaus experience. Jesus accompaniment came through an advice of a counselor, words of encouragement from a brother, a message of perseverance from a sister, or simply through the presence of a friend. Jesus accompanies us in moments of doubts, fears and confusion. He accompanies us in our Emmaus experience through real persons and concrete ways. If only we open our eyes to Jesus’ abiding presence in our life’s journey, our hearts will be set on fire, like those of the two disciples in their road to Emmaus, we shall recognize Him in our midst, in our life.

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One of the most painful experiences of a human existence is loneliness; being alone especially in crucial points in one’s life. In times like this, it is good to know that we are a community. We can always find someone to accompany us in our trying moments. We can also find Jesus among our brothers, ready to accompany us along our road to Emmaus. 

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Stay with us Lord, in the dark and confused moments of journey. Be our light until, Truth may dawn upon us. Amen.