O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work: who lives and reign with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, on God, now and forever. Amen. BCP

There used to be a painting/print that hung on the wall in the Guest dining room at the Convent of the Transfiguration. It was a depiction of the meal Jesus shared with disciples after the walk to Emmaus. It was a simple depiction that I cannot find online. The portrait was like an icon to me. It has been replaced and put in storage somewhere. No one at the Convent knows exactly where it is.

I have scoured hundreds of online images trying to find a copy of that painting. I would buy it in a heartbeat if I could find it!

This past weekend the Associates retreat was lead by Father David Pfaff, Rector at Christ Church, Glendale. His topic was the icons written after the crucifixion through the Ascension. Yes, the Walk to Emmaus was also featured. He pointed out in the icons he had chosen that one of the people on the walk was a woman. Cleopas is named in verse 18 but the other disciple is not named. In the image he chose that disciple is depicted as a woman, unlike the pictures below. (See opening picture)

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; ¹⁶ but they were kept from recognizing him.

¹⁷ He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. ¹⁸ One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

¹⁹ “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. ²⁰ The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; ²¹ but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. ²² In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning ²³ but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. ²⁴ Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

²⁵ He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” ²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

²⁸ As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. ²⁹ But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

³⁰ When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. ³¹ Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. ³² They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:13-35 NIV

At first glance it would seem this retreat topic was stuffy and not contemporary. That is a mistaken idea! The icons are ‘drawn’ as an aide in prayer. They lead us to the Holy God. The images attempt to help us envision what the truth is about how God comes to humankind. How we can interact with the Almighty.

Each of the four talks brought me to a place of stillness and enlightenment. There is so much more to discover about our God. Lord, help our hearts burn within us as You speak with us.

Never stop looking for those treasures in plain sight, even if it requires you go to a religious bookstore or, as one man mentioned, shopping on Etsy for an icon! Yep! I tried there for that painting. No such luck!