Year 8 Reflection Session During Remote Learning 

As a result of COVID-19 many changes have been made to how we operate our Year level reflection day program. This year we asked the Year 8’s to consider the gospel story of the Road to Emmaus in Lukes Gospel. On this road we hear the story of two disciples dealing with the unexpected event of the loss of Jesus. 

Luke tells us of the disappointment of the two disciples as they walked away from Jerusalem. They had believed in Jesus, and now he was gone, crucified by Pontius Pilate. What they had hoped for had been stolen by something they did not anticipate and could not control. The experience of our students at CRC St Albans during COVID-19’s remote learning is not unlike the experience of the disciples, it was unexpected and out of their control. 

As the disciples walked away from what they thought would be their future, the two on the road were invited to see things differently. With a little bit of direction and a lot of guidance they were able to see things differently – helped to see a different view of the future. It might not be exactly as they had planned for it to be, but it would still be one guided by hope and purpose and the promise of the presence of God much bigger than themselves. 

COVID-19 has taken the stability of routine and the expectation of a known future from our community at CRC St Albans. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, COVID-19 has asked our community to step outside the predictable and to find within us new opportunities and a new kind of strength. We have been asked to walk to Emmaus. 

The first session was concluded with a final prayer:

We pray for each other. 

As we gather to pray and reflect today may we be sure of God’s presence alongside us. 

We pray for our families. 

May we be grateful for the people in our lives who are with us on this road. 

We pray for our world. 

As we think of others experiencing feelings of disappointment, may we be motivated to offer words of encouragement and hope. 

We pray for ourselves. 

May we enter into this work with openness and calmness; ready to be reflective and prayerful. 

Amen