Milestones that Matter

Keeping our eyes on the Resurrection as our ultimate milestone

04/04/2018

Luke 24:13-35 That very day, the first day of the week, two of Jesus' disciples were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Are you familiar with the term “milestones”? Let me tell you where the word originated and it will give you a good idea of its meaning. It is a conflation of two words – mile and stone – originally used in the Roman Empire. In Latin, these milestones were called “milliarium.” You will remember how the Roman Empire covered most of the known world, and it was interconnected with an intricate web of roads that provided easy and safe travel. Occasionally along the road, a large stone obelisk was erected to mark the road and inform travelers about the distances from one city to the next, so you knew where you were within the Empire.

In the modern “American Empire” where we live, we see not “milestones” but mile markers as you travel along United States interstates. Last Monday I was traveling back from Little Rock and I saw mile markers along the side of the road. When I saw mile marker 97 what did that tell me? I knew I was 97 miles from the western border of Arkansas, where I would enter Indian Territory. Those mile markers are calculated to tell you the distance remaining to the western or southern state line throughout the United States. The basic purpose of a milestone is to tell you if you are making progress. As you pass each milestone, you are getting closer to your destination.

In the gospel of Luke we hear about the single greatest milestone in all of human history – the day of the Resurrection. Luke 24 recounts a famous walk two disciples took on Easter Sunday from Jerusalem to Emmaus, about seven miles. They probably saw a Roman “mile stone” (an obelisk) along that road! But suddenly Jesus comes alongside and walks and talks with them. That evening they “break bread together” which is New Testament code language for the Mass or Eucharist. As they passed those Roman milestones on the road making steady progress to Emmaus, they were also steadily progressing spiritually in knowing Jesus until they reached their destination and their eyes were opened and they recognized him fully. In other words, milestones not only mark our progress on earth (like how close we are to Fort Smith), but they also mark our progress in the spiritual world (like how close we are to Jesus).

Boys and girls, we all experience milestones that tell us we are making progress in life. Our ninth graders will graduate in May, a big milestone in their academic journey. Some of you may achieve a degree in medicine and become a doctor, like several graduates of Trinity have. Some of you will reach the milestone of marriage, or if you’re really smart, you’ll become a priest or a nun! Today, Trinity Junior High reaches a milestone in our history as a school. We will announce that we are buying this property from the St. Scholastica Sisters. We will no longer be renters, we will be owners of this entire building. Imagine the feeling of moving from living in an apartment to buying your own home, then you will understand why Dr. Hollenbeck feels so happy today. We have reached a huge milestone in our history, and we are making great progress as a school.

But we should never forget that the real milestones are those spiritual ones, like the two disciples enjoyed walking with Jesus to Emmaus. Pay attention as you go through life observing your earthly milestones – ninth grade graduation, marriage, priesthood, buying a home, etc. – but also keep your eyes open to the progress you making spiritually in recognizing Jesus in the Breaking of the Bread, at the Mass. Real progress is spiritual growth, where you recognize who Jesus really is. The greatest milestone in the history of the world was the Resurrection, and in the end that will be the only milestone that matters.

Praised be Jesus Christ!