The disciples are walking along the road when their unrecognizable Lord appears to them. The first issue for the Lord is the Context of their situation. The disciples must unburden themselves of their fears, concerns, anxiety, and woes. The Lord enters into their walk, their story, their lives. There is not the false presumption that these disciples would have gone seeking the Risen Lord. In fact, their journey along the road seems intent upon getting away or escaping from church-the secreted hidden surviving band of disciples.

The National Directory for Catechesis (48b) reminds us that “conversion begins with an openness to the initial proclamation of the Gospel and a sincere desire to listen to the resonance within.” The Lord does not presume this as already a given in his walk with the disciple who do not yet recognize him. Those who want to engage in helping others towards discipleship should also not presume initial openness or desire.

Evangelization is found in this first movement by the Lord. It was the Lord who enters the journey of the disciples, enters the context of their lives. It is the Lord that goes to them. Faith Formation is found in the Lord first seeking to understand the state of the lives of the disciple, recognizing that to teach he must understand the needs of the learners as well as to engage them amid their own needs and terms.