The Third Sunday of Easter might be a great time to deeply engage the imagination. Place yourself on the road to Emmaus. Imagine that you and a companion on that journey are feeling disillusioned and lost because somebody you had really come to love and admire is now dead. Imagine that you are heading away from Jerusalem and returning to your normal way of life. What would you say to each other?

Your walk might be marked by tears, anger, confusion or disillusionment, all ordinary feelings attached to the events that you had witnessed. You saw your friend Jesus crucified. The dreams are gone of Him being around for a while and helping to build a mighty army or a renewed religion.

Now imagine that someone that you don’t recognize starts walking with you. You may be distracted and even feel like that person is being a nuisance by butting into your conversation. He’s not aware of what happened in Jerusalem, so you tell the whole story. Imagine reliving all of those events. When you’re finished, He reminds you of Scriptures that give meaning to what happened in Jerusalem. He piqued your curiosity, and when you get near the inn, you invite Him to stay on. When He breaks bread with you, you are reminded of the last supper that you had with Him; you recognize Him and He vanishes from your sight.

That encounter has changed your mind and heart. You walk back to Jerusalem and notice what happened to you in that encounter. You now noticed that your heart was burning inside you when He was speaking to you, but your sadness and confusion had overshadowed it. Now you can experience the fullness of your heart burning with hope, love, a renewal of dreams and the possibilities of what might happen in the future.

I’m hoping that we can find a way to insert ourselves in that story, but make the story modern. Imagine walking through daily life, encountering people who are confused, irritated, angry and sorrowful, having had their dreams and hopes crushed by a force greater than themselves. Imagine joining their walks through life and reminding them of God’s faithfulness.

If we have ever found ourselves walking through life disillusioned and numb, who would we want to join us on the walk? If we ever lose the burning urge to share the truth about Jesus and the difference He has made in our lives, who would we go to to be reminded and renewed?

Every time we gather at the Eucharist, He breaks the bread for us, and we hear His word. Is it possible that we have made our attendance at Mass so routine that we are not allowing ourselves to be renewed by His breaking of the bread with us? Do we consciously participate in the Eucharist in a way that will allow our heart to be enlightened and strengthened in faith?

Consider the role of St. Peter and the Acts of the Apostles: St. Peter gives his testimony about the difference that Jesus has made in his life. Are we ready to do this? Can our hearts be set on fire so that we willingly testify to the power of Jesus in our lives?

Father Donald Wester is pastor of All Saints Parish in St. Peters.