The Emmaus Story : a paradigm for spiritual companionship

Abstract

The topic of this dissertation, The Emmaus Story: A Paradigm For Spiritual Companionship, was chosen in the context of today's struggle in search for inner harmony and deeper meaning in life. The purpose of this work is to show how the Emmaus story in Luke 24, 13-35, can offer valuable insights to those in pastoral ministry who find themselves in spiritual companionship. Moreover, it is hoped that its insights are also helpful to those who have decided to take on spiritual guidance. Hence, it is not my intention to try and provide a biblical model of spiritual companionship which is exhaustive in its insights. My aim is mainly to explore the Emmaus story and discuss some relevant aspects in regards spiritual companionship. This dissertation is divided into four main chapters, with three sections each. The first chapter deals with the history and development of spiritual companionship. Its aim is to provide a basis and a proper perspective to the other chapters in which the Emmaus story is discussed and explored as a paradigm for spiritual companionship. Comments and works of various authors who have been in such ministry and relevant Magisterial and Church documents have been used to back up the insights that this biblical story offers.