Two disciples are walking away from Jerusalem.

Away from the place where everything fell apart. Away from the community. Away from hope.

"We were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel."

Past tense. Their hope had died with him on the cross.

And Jesus joins them on the road - but hides himself. Why? I think it's because Jesus wanted to meet them WHERE THEY WERE. In their confusion. In their disappointment. In their walking-away.

He doesn't appear in glory and say, "See? I told you so." He walks alongside them. He asks questions. He listens to their grief.

Only after walking with them, only after hearing their story, does Jesus begin to open the Scriptures. And their hearts begin to burn.

But they still don't recognize him. Not until he stays with them. Not until he takes bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to them.

In the breaking of the bread - their eyes are opened.

This is the pattern. This is how Jesus still meets us. He walks with us in our confusion. He opens the Scriptures to us. And he reveals himself in the Eucharist.

If your hope feels like past tense right now, know this: Jesus is already walking beside you. You might not recognize him yet. But stay with him. Let him open the Scriptures. Come to the Table.

Your eyes will be opened.