Why Emmaus Center?

The Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) is a powerful story of encountering Christ. Two of Jesus’s followers, shaken by his death, are on a journey from Jerusalem to the town of Emmaus. As they travel, Jesus joins them – though they do not initially recognize him. He asks what they are talking about and they describe all that has happened in the recent days. Jesus then explains the meaning of the scriptures and the way they shed light on his suffering and death. When they break bread together, the disciples finally recognize Jesus and comment to one another, “Were our hearts not burning within us while he talked with us on the road …” So moved by this encounter, the two disciples return to their community in Jerusalem and give witness to all they have seen.

The core values of the Emmaus Center are reflected in this story in powerful ways. The Emmaus Center is here to “meet you where you are,” just as Jesus joined the two disciples on their journey. Like Jesus retelling the stories and teachings of their faith tradition, we value your life and faith and want to support you as you continue to grow. As the two disciples were called to give witness, we believe you are called to important work in the world – in your family life, your community engagement, and in your career. As Jesus invited their reflection by offering an important question, we believe in the power of questions as we make meaning and grow in understanding. This encounter with the risen Christ moves the disciples toward wholeness, as we strive to do in our ministry on campus – honoring the importance of action and contemplation, individual and community, tradition and experience.

Read the full passage of On the Road to Emmaus.