May 8th - Reflection

Third Sunday of Easter
Luke 24:13-35 (NRSV)
Eating with the risen Christ
Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?" They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?" He asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him." Then he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?" That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Reflection
Jesus was able to remain anonymous for a while and heard how two of his disciples loved him so. He heard how two of his disciples believed in the prophecy of his redemption of Israel. And these two disciples couldn't understand how the rulers could reject Jesus. These two had no proof yet. They had not witnessed Jesus and it was now the third day. So Jesus directs the disciples to scripture.

A stop at the disciples destination and a chance for a meal with this guest. But Jesus assumes the role of host at the meal. Jesus takes the bread, breaks it and gives thanks...the veil is lifted from the eyes of the disciples and they recognize Jesus, who immediately disappears. The disciples realized a strange and awesome feeling in this experience. They realize they had just seen the risen Lord. The are compelled by a spirit of joy and elation to run and tell the story.

What an awesome event. Jesus takes us to scripture, takes us to the Word, and reveals through the prophets and the law God's glorious saving act through himself to his disciples and even to us today. God shows us the bread and the wine and Jesus is revealed to our very eyes. Through the Word and through the Sacraments, God comes to us even today.

What joy and elation we have when we open the Bible and discover Jesus. We discover Jesus active and alive and we are filled with elation that compels us to get up and move. We are elated to go out and live the love that Jesus has shown us. We are over-joyed to give that love to all we meet and talk to. We serve other's in this love. We give to the poor and needy. We visit and comfort the sick. We mourn with those near death. We rejoice in new life of those richly blessed. We share what God has first given us.

Why? Because we are free to do so. Free in the most awesome way. Free from the sin that Jesus died for. Our eyes are open and we have received Jesus, through the Word and through God's active coming into our lives this day. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, open my eyes and give me that elation only you can supply. You are my God! You are my Savior! You are my Word! You have come! --- Amen