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The well-known account of Jesus encountering the two disciples on the road to Emmaus sees the risen Jesus falling into the pace of the pair to walk with them. Jesus entered their conversation and shared their preoccupations as they together walked away from Jerusalem.

As they plodded they had their backs to the Holy City, the site of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Together they were heading out to the peripheries, to an insignificant village – surely an unlikely place of encounter with the divine?

These two hikers were downcast. Their hope that Jesus would bring political and national freedom had been dashed and their once clear gaze now replaced by anticipation of nothing more than a return to their home town, a simple evening meal and a restless night before back-to-work tomorrow.

But even though they could not see it their lives were being changed.

Jesus, the God in whom they had hoped, was not dead but alive and (albeit in this moment unknown to them) Jesus was with them.

The rumour they had heard was in fact a reality.

This new reality was not confined to a recognised and venerated location where sacred events had taken place for centuries, but this life-giving reality was fresh and alive. present and active in their own little town even at their humble table and in their strolling with what-now conversations.

They were sad. Not only had Jesus died, but with him their hopes had come to nothing.

While sadness always accompanies death, the death of Pope Francis who walked with us is also rich with hope and joy.

The life of Jorge Bergoglio, these past twelve years as Pope Francis, was a full life, a rich life. His leadership has re-focussed the Catholic Church on the heart of its earthly mission.

Within a couple of hours of his election twelve years ago he stood on the balcony above the entrance of St. Peter’s basilica facing the people and looking beyond Rome and beyond the Church to the world.

With his first words he signalled a new era marked by a human and affectionate style beginning with a casual friendly greeting: brothers and sisters, good evening,

He continued with reference to the cardinals looking to the ends of the earth to find not a pope but a Bishop of Rome the asking the people to pray for him inviting silence and bowing before us.

Then he concluded with a casual see you soon – good night and sleep well.

We noticed that he talked with us in the manner we use with those we love, simply and with affection.

The following Sunday Francis celebrated Mass in the parish church of St. Anna at the Vatican entrance. The moment Mass was concluded he broke ranks with his bodyguards to energetically greet those who waited outside the church on the street. That’s when the pic above was taken.

It was clear that something new was afoot, and many of us liked what we were seeing.

Those who look no further than surface appearances soon sensed a change in direction for Church doctrine. They were wrong. Francis was taking his turn in serving as an instrument for the Holy Spirit as Bishop of Rome – walking with us and talking with us in the language and style of the times.

He was often unfairly contrasted with his predecessor Benedict but in their writing and one-on-one ministry it is difficult to tell them apart – except that in conversation Benedict was an introvert and Francis and extrovert, and the media loves extroverts.

We will reflect more on Francis and his legacy through this Easter Octave Week until his funeral on Saturday.

For today, let’s remember that Jesus is walking and talking with each of us, in and through whatever circumstances are ours today.

We may even feel as though we are walking away, and focussing on the wrong topics. But this is not a problem for Jesus who is present and active in each conversation and every encounter.

Today let Jesus walk with you and invite Him to the place and the places where you live.

Expect to hear him speak with you in each moment and .every encounter.

Set five or so minutes
twice a day each day of this week,
the Easter Octave
to notice Jesus walking and talking with you.
Diary these appointments with Jesus.
Let these encounters
be your highlights
this Easter Week