The Journey of Doubt

Take some time to read through the passage, Luke 24:13-35, then return to this reflection. Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

The two disciples knew all about it. They had the names, the places, all the details. They knew what had been going on in Jerusalem. And they had plenty dissect as they chatted on their journey to Emmaus. Every detail was thoroughly debated, every moment examined. Each had an opinion.

Then these two men ran in to the only person who had no idea of the happenings in the city. These disciples were so eager to share what they knew with this stranger. They offered all the details, all the excitement, all the disappointment. They were in the know and happy to share that knowledge.

What must those disciples have thought when the stranger said, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!”

I wonder if these men were so caught up in what they knew because it was a way to cope with what they didn’t know, what they weren’t sure of, what they doubted. Being unsure, doubtful, is an awfully uncomfortable state of existence. Perhaps the surety with which these men spoke of the facts was a way to remind themselves of something solid, something they knew, something they could count upon as truth. Those names, places, details were things they could verify. They were reasonable. Jesus rising from the dead? That was illogical, unheard of…impossible…

The stranger took what they knew, what they were familiar with and used it as a way to show them how to understand better, have deeper faith. When the stranger easily could have scolded these doubtful disciples, he instead patiently guided them through all the details, all the names, all the places, all over again. Providing context, nuance, and vision the stranger took the disciples from doubtful knowledge to the cusp of faith.

Finally, through the coming together in prayer and a communal meal, that chasm between doubt and faith was crossed. 

Counseling the doubtful is a journey. At times, we are that stranger, walking with someone, providing guidance, context, and vision. At other times, we may be well aware of the facts, yet lacking in that faith and vision. Knowledge goes hand in hand with faith for much of the journey, yet there will be a moment when faith must leap beyond knowledge. In that moment, may we be open to the counsel of others, of God, and may our hearts burn within us.

And may we joyfully continue our journey, knowing Christ not as a stranger, but our companion on the journey of faith and our Savior. May we joyfully share that faith and good news of salvation, just as those two disciples did so long ago.

Jennifer Delvaux
Director of Faith Formation