This was the ditty that accompanied the CBC show, On the Road Again, hosted for its running time of 20 years by Wayne Rostad. On Saturday mornings following children’s programming- if memory serves me correctly- one could tune into this quirky collection of interviews and documentary segments; gathered along Canadian roads as Wayne met all sorts of interesting people and listened to their stories. Each episode had Rostad forming unique relationships and inviting Canadians to join him on the adventure. One never knew where he would end, and what outrageous kind of tale he would have to tell.
Five years or so after the show began, I set off on an adventure of my own, travelling down the road 140 kms to Wilfrid Laurier University. In the early 90s, universities were particularly mindful of their female students and their safety. First year female students in residence were paired with a brother floor for frosh week, and other activities over the year. The idea was that we would have interacted with a group of guys – in various social settings, with and without alcohol- so that we could determine who was ‘safe’ and ‘unsafe.’ The idea was to make a friend or two who could be called to escort us home from late night studying or outings. The school also had a foot patrol – for any student who wanted the security of two fellow students to walk them home after night class. The road home from school after night class was dangerous – rapes, thefts, assaults- we walked home with a whistle in one hand and keys in the other pointing out between our fingers, just in case we needed to defend ourselves.
I wonder if the story of the Good Samaritan, would have been different if there was a foot patrol in the time of Jesus? You remember that story from earlier in Luke’s gospel tale– where a man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked and beaten by robbers, clothes stolen, and left for dead on the side of the road. A Samaritan happened along, who offered first aid, gave him a donkey ride to an inn, paid for his stay, and for his care. Imagine the interview if Wayne Rostad had talked with the Samaritan, the quirky repartee back and forth finding out the motives of the Samaritan’s actions, and the nuances of his personality. On the road that day there was a grievous event and ‘on that road again’ later in the day, there was relationship in action.
This week we were reminded how dangerous roads can be. ... out for a walk, out for a drive.. never to return home.This week’s Gospel reminds us that it is on roads where relationships form that change us for the good.
Roads are dangerous. Roads connect us. Roads represent the journey of faith.
It is on the road that fear and discipleship collide.
Anything of consequence happens on the road. Luke’s gospel has the characters on the move – on the road again: Mary and Joseph are on the road when it is time for Jesus’ birth, the shepherds travel; Jesus goes off-road into the desert; on a certain Sabbath Jesus was walking through a field of ripe grain – which turns into a confrontation with the religious leaders; people came to Jesus on road for healing; Jesus sent out along the roads 70 disciples in pairs to preach and heal – with a warning of course that the way will be hazardous. Today we hear of disciples deep in conversation on the road to Emmaus.
On the road again... they were deep in conversation, going over all the things that happened.
I have a friend with whom I sometimes run. We ran together while my children were teenagers, we ran together while I was writing my doctoral thesis. It was those runs that helped me reflect and put together all the pieces of life, and all the pieces of data and research and thought to get me to a finished written thesis. On the road – together- deep in conversation led to new ideas, perspectives, growth, and relationship.
I like to picture the disciples walking to Emmaus like my running partner and myself – perhaps starting in questions and angst, getting lost in conversation, creative ideas, playing off one another’s thoughts, posing alternative arguments, and ending at a place of clearer vision and renewed hope.
I struggle with THE ROAD.
It would have been safer for the two people going to Emmaus to have stayed home. I question why it was that they took the risk to talk to a stranger, and to talk to the stranger about a revolutionary that had been put to death? Did they not fear that they might find themselves on a watch-list, considered followers or sympathizers? I don’t talk to strangers on the road. I definitely don’t talk about Jesus to random unknown people who cross my path. I don’t stop to offer first-aid, a ride in my car (as I don’t have a donkey), or to pay for someone’s stay at an inn until they recuperate. Admittedly I miss out on relationship – perhaps missing out on deepening discipleship by learning from another, because I am afraid when on the road.
I struggle less with THE ROAD,
when I am with a person I know and trust. I enjoy running with my friend. I enjoy a road trip and adventures along the way when I am with Tim and mom. I still hesitate to talk to strangers. I hesitate to offer help – other than perhaps offering directions if someone who looks a little lost.
I struggle a whole lot less with THE ROAD,
when the road is lined with community. For instance when I know that all of you are also on the road, asking similar questions, acting in relationship, showing how to set fear aside, being an example of sharing the Easter story; when you challenge me, take new paths, or form relationships.
I read this week: We are all in the same storm, not in the same boat. Meaning that because of our individual experiences, our beliefs, personalities, coping mechanisms, resources, communities to which we belong, and so on; we are all processing COVID and the mass shooting in different ways. We are all on the same map, different roads with different modes of transport. One thing with maps and roads – there are points where roads intersect, where we will pass by each other, collide with each other.
I invite us to consider that while on the road we – as disciples; followers of Jesus- are each a mixed up mess of fear and anxiety, wanting in our heart of hearts to deepen discipleship and relationships; to live a life that is faithful to the Gospel.
On the road again... Luke’s Gospel continues in the book of Acts. Once again we are invited to incidents on the road: those who leave Jerusalem after Pentecost to share the story in their own lands; the Ethiopian official who meets Philip on the road – who opens scripture for him such that he asks to be baptized – also along the side of the road; Saul’s experience on the road to Damascus of seeing Jesus and changing from persecuting Jesus’ followers to becoming one himself; story after story has Paul traveling to build relationships and communities of followers – Thessalonica, Corinth, Athens – complete with shipwrecks and imprisonments...
On the road is a place of fear and danger colliding with deepening discipleship and relationship.
The question (well questions) bothering me – and I hope will poke at you – is how will I be on the road? How will we be once we are on the road again? Will we be fearful and stay home? Will we, despite fear, travel in pairs participating in deep conversation about all that has occurred? Will we, despite fear, talk with strangers on the road, so that our eyes might be opened to parts of God that we as yet do not know? Will we share the good news? Will we embrace relationship with all its demands whether first aid, a car ride, or lodging; scripture sharing, baptism, or healing? How will we be, once we are on the road again?
After having their hearts warmed while on the road talking with the stranger, the couple on the road and the household where they ended up met Jesus -recognized Jesus in the breaking of bread. It was not long before they were up and on their way----- on the road again ---- back to Jerusalem, where they found the eleven disciples and those gathered with them. The two went over everything that had happened on the road and how they recognized Jesus when Jesus broke bread in their midst.
This is how we could be --- a focused relational community sharing the good news, opening scripture in deep conversation, and operating in the world through words and deeds--- with fear and a sense of adventure I look forward to being... on the road again.
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