John (not his real
name) had lived with Motor Neurone Disease for many years but over a period
of months John’s illness progressed rapidly and it became obvious to John that
he had little time to live. It was a huge loss when John lost the ability to
use words: a vibrant man had now become silent. Now, instead of words John used
his familiar ‘thumbs-up’ gesture to say that all was ok. John loved the story
of the road to Emmaus and I read it with him often.
The story of the Road to Emmaus from St Luke’s Gospel is one
of my favourite resurrection stories. Cleopas and his friend were walking to
Emmaus in a downcast way. Jesus –unknown to them- was walking alongside them
listening to them as they told his story. At the time it seemed that nothing
was happening. Only when they sat down to eat and they broke bread did they
suddenly recognise that Jesus was in their midst.
It is a wonderful example of how gently God can become known
to us. “Were not our hearts burning
within us?” they asked. In such a gentle way Jesus came alongside them and
touched their hearts. This is the deep connection we experience when our inner
needs are met.
I will never forget one particular evening when I came to
that phrase about our “hearts burning
within us” when although frail, John confidently gave his thumbs-up
gesture. Here, when words would no longer flow for John somehow his gesture
proclaimed louder than any speech that God was near. Our hearts burned within
us.
We are not defined by illness but by the image of God that each
of us radiates even when our physical bodies let us down. Alleluia!
