The New Room is sharing a Friday reflection each week. We hope that these short reflections will act as a point of spiritual focus, enabling a moment of quiet thought and prayer.

This week’s reflection is from Revd Josette Crane, one of the chaplains at The New Room.

Luke’s Gospel, chapter 24, verses 13 to 35 tells the much-loved story of Jesus walking alongside two disciples who are on the road to a village called Emmaus. The two have been through a traumatic time, having witnessed the death and resurrection of Jesus in Jerusalem. They struggle to make sense of it all. They are feeling confused, uncertain and do not recognise Jesus as he joins them on their walk.  During the walk Jesus explains all that has been written about him. As he makes to leave, the two urge him to stay for a meal and when he breaks bread with them, it is then that they finally recognise him.

This is a story that is often used to talk about Holy Communion, with the breaking of the bread. But before that, in the time of confusion after trouble, there is that poignant experience of Jesus walking closely alongside them, sharing his story. Here is Jesus bringing comfort and support to two of his followers who are feeling worried and uncertain by recent events. The special presence of Jesus is something that we find in Communion services, but whilst we are not yet holding these at The New Room, we wanted to offer some regular worship time. So we are planning to have what we have called an Emmaus Service on Tuesday lunchtimes at 1pm. This is intended as an opportunity to be able to experience that presence of Jesus walking closely alongside us, as we travel through our own difficult time and try to make sense of the confusion. We can be assured that Jesus is with us in this time, continuing to share his story and guide us in all the difficulties we are going through. As we begin to worship again in our beautiful chapel, our eyes can be opened and our hearts burn within us, as we recognise the presence of Jesus in our lives. Jesus seeks to walk closely with us in our worry and uncertainty and he has promised to bring us comfort and peace.