ECHO stands for Emmaus Catholic
Homeschool Organization. From one of our founding members:
We chose Emmaus because we see this
biblical scene as emblematic of many aspects of our home-educating
lifestyles.
As Catholic homeschoolers we have asked Jesus to "stay with
us" in a special way - right in the heart of our homes. Finding Jesus in
"the conversation" that we have with Him, and each other, in our shared
study as a family is our common goal. "While they were talking and
discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them."
Those
days where study makes "our hearts burn within us" are the experiences
that keep us persevering in our choice to educate at home. And, of
course, as Catholics, we strive to help our children "recognize him" in
the "breaking of the bread".
These are the things which unite us in our
mission and are foundational for any organization purporting to bring
Catholic homeschoolers together.
As we continue to grow and develop as a group we want to stay focused on
this shared end and we pray that we can also say to our children and
each other, "did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on
the road?"
Luke 24:13-35
That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about
seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these
things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing
together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes
were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is this
conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" ... And
beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in
all the scriptures the things concerning himself. So they drew near to
the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further,
but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward
evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with
them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and
broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they
recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each
other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the
road, while he opened to us the scriptures?"
