What would the Emmaus story have been like if Cleopas & A.N. Other had been members of the Church of England?

Mr & Mrs C –of –E were out for a Sunday afternoon stroll. In days gone by they might have had a proper walk, seven miles or so,  but age brought creaks and pains so now it was more of a stroll. They thought the exercise would do them good because they were both a bit down. That was to be expected as it had been a strange time. Their friend,–well more than a friend really, it was hard to describe what he meant to them, had been killed. He’d done something, they weren’t quite sure what, to upset the authorities and it had all been a bit nasty really.  He’d been arrested one evening, some sort of fast track trial that night and then executed the following day.

It had been a bit of a blow for Mr & Mrs C –of –E, but a breath of fresh air would do them good. They were sure of that; fresh air, exercise, a stiff upper lip and just keep soldiering on.

“I’m not sure I think much to that,” said Mr C –of –E to Cleo, his wife, gesturing to an advertising hording with a product that promised relief from heart burn. “I’ve never had a problem with heart burn.”

“I’m not into burning things either,” replied Cleo, “I remember when it was the rage to burn bras, but bras, bridges, candles, hearts. It all seems a undignified to me.”

As Cleo and her husband walked they were aware of someone walking with them. That was strange because they hadn’t caught anyone else up on the path. If they had been catching up with someone they’d have hung back so they could keep themselves to themselves. And if someone had been catching them from behind they would have hurried on so as not to have to speak. But someone had caught up with them and was walking next to them........ And was talking to them!!

“You’re looking a bit down,” said the stranger.

 “Afternoon,” said Mr C –of –E curtly

“Everything all right?” persisted the stranger.

“Funny weather for the time of year,” replied Mrs C –of –E, “It wouldn’t surprise me if there was a storm later, but not as odd as three days ago. The sky turned black and the sun was blotted out.”

“Oh how foolish you are and slow to believe,” answered the stranger and starting with the weather he explained to them all the things that had happened to their friend and put it all into a bigger picture – the picture of God’s love for His World.

They were getting towards the end of their stroll and Mr C –of –E was a bit taken aback when Cleo invited the stranger to came and have a cup of tea and piece of cake with them. They didn’t usually pick up strange people when they were out.  He was even more surprised when the stranger didn’t wait to have the tea poured for him but took the pot and poured it himself.  And he was completely dumbfounded when the stranger vanished from their sight.

“You know, he was a bit like our friend that was executed,” said Cleo

“Can’t have been,” answered her husband, “It doesn’t do to get carried away.”

“We must tell his other friends”, said Cleo, “If he’s alive death isn’t the end”.

“It doesn’t do any good to ram religion down other people’s throats”, came the response. “I mean faith is all very well but it’s personal and you’ll upset people by talking about it.  Yes, you’re right. It was Him. It wasn’t a ghost. He’s drunk the tea and eaten the cake. But we’ll keep it as our secret. It’ll cause too much trouble if we tell others.”

So they finished their tea and said nothing to anyone