One of the most moving and mysterious accounts of Jesus comes at the end of the Gospel of Luke. Here is the short version: Two disciples are walking along a road to Emmaus while pondering the death of Jesus, the man they hoped would “be the one to redeem Israel” (Lk 24:21). A person they do not recognize joins them, listens to their story and offers them hope. Later, the stranger blesses and breaks bread, and in that moment “their eyes were opened” (Lk 24:31). They see that he is no stranger, but the very one they have been mourning: Jesus Christ.
We often focus only on what happens at the end of this story: the moment the disciples suddenly recognize the mysterious stranger. There is another moment at the beginning we should follow closely. “It happened,” Luke says, that “while (the disciples) were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them” (Lk 24:15) We see these two followers of Jesus walking along, overwhelmed by sadness, loss and confusion, when suddenly someone appears at their side. Someone who listens and asks questions. Someone who offers them peace and challenges them to hold onto hope. Someone who promises to remain with them, breaks bread with them and offers words of blessing. Someone who walks with them along the way.
My friends, what Jesus offers here are lessons about fellowship: He shows how he walks with us and how we might follow his example. These are lessons to take to heart in a special way as we celebrate Respect Life Month. Abortion is first and foremost a failure to hold sacred the lives of vulnerable children and mothers. Abortion is the preeminent issue of our time, as it addresses the fundamental right to life. To win the issue of abortion, we must proclaim the truth of the child in the womb, but we must also show the world the way we walk with mothers in need. By doing this, we will win the hearts of the unconvinced and show how our love for the child pours over into love for the child’s mother.
So, how is it that Jesus walks with the disciples? First, by listening. It is tempting to think the best way to help someone considering abortion is to immediately take action. However, Jesus shows us the power of listening. Obviously, no suffering should lead one to consider abortion. But by listening and understanding a vulnerable mother’s fears and confusion, we can guide her to a source of true consolation at a time when she is experiencing profound stress and anxiety in her life.
Second, Jesus speaks the truth in love. There is nothing crueler than offering false hope to someone in need, but that is precisely what abortion does. It promises peace and resolution, but all it offers is destruction. Against this terrible lie, we must give true hope, the kind of hope that speaks the truth in love. Speaking to vulnerable, expectant mothers in such a way means acknowledging the challenges of choosing life for their child, but it also means reassuring them of all its joys and that we will be with them on the journey.
Most importantly, Jesus honors his promise of fellowship through action. Jesus’ offer of hope was not an empty one — his were not unfulfilled promises. Rather, he offered hope and then offered himself. At Emmaus, he fed the disciples’ souls with Scripture and then broke bread to nourish their bodies. These actions point to the way in which he fulfills that same promise to us perpetually: through his Word and the Eucharist. All pro-life efforts must be guided by the Word of God and rooted in the Eucharist, the source of our strength, hope and life.
Jesus showed the disciples — and us — that true fellowship means much more than simply walking along with someone. It means listening and offering words of comfort, hope and truth. The disciples said to the stranger who walked with them, “Stay with us.” And Jesus did, just as he does for us whenever we ask for him. Through these kinds of exchanges, we can offer ourselves in love to the most vulnerable.
During this Respect Life Month, may we take the opportunity to learn from Jesus on the road to Emmaus. May we make his way ours as well.
