Third Sunday of Easter (Year A)

Luke 24:13-35 (TPT[1]; adapted):

Later that Sunday, two of Jesus’ disciples were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, a journey of about seven miles. 14–15They were in the midst of a discussion about all the events of the last few days when Jesus walked up and accompanied them on their journey. 16They were unaware that it was Jesus walking alongside them, for God prevented them from recognizing him.

17–18Jesus said to them, “You seem to be in a deep discussion about something. What are you talking about, so sad and gloomy?”

They stopped, and the one named Cleopas answered, “Haven’t you heard? Are you the only one in Jerusalem unaware of the things that have happened over the last few days?”

19Jesus asked, “What things?”

“The things about Jesus, the Man from Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a mighty prophet of God who performed miracles and wonders. His words were powerful and he had great favor with God and the people. 20–21But three days ago the high priest and the rulers of the people sentenced him to death and had him crucified. We all hoped that he was the one who would redeem and rescue Israel. 22Early this morning, some of the women informed us of something amazing. 23They said they went to the tomb and found it empty. They claimed two angels appeared and told them that Jesus has been raised from the dead and is now alive. 24Some of us went to see for ourselves and found the tomb exactly like the women said. But no one has seen Jesus.”

25Jesus said to them, “Why are you so thick-headed? Why do you find it so hard to believe every word the prophets have spoken? 26Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to experience all these sufferings and then afterward to enter into his glory?”

27Then he carefully unveiled to them the revelation of himself throughout the Scriptures. He started from the beginning and explained the writings of Moses and all the prophets, showing how they wrote of him and revealed the truth about himself.

28As they approached the village, Jesus walked on ahead, telling them he was going on to a distant place. 29They urged him to remain there and pleaded, “Stay with us. It’ll be dark soon.” So Jesus went with them into the village.

30Joining them at the table for supper, Jesus took bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. 31All at once their eyes were opened and they realized it was Jesus! Then suddenly, Jesus vanished from before their eyes!

32Stunned, they looked at each other and said, “Why didn’t we recognize it was him? Didn’t our hearts burn with the flames of holy passion while we walked beside him? He unveiled for us such profound revelation from the Scriptures!”

33They left at once and hurried back to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples. When they found the Eleven and the other disciples all together, 34they overheard them saying, “It’s really true! Jesus has risen from the dead. He even appeared to Peter!” 35Then the two disciples told the others what had happened to them on the road to Emmaus and how Jesus had revealed himself as he broke bread with them.

Other readings:

Acts 2.14a, 36-41; Psalm 116.1-4, 12-19; 1 Peter 1.17-23

The Gathering Prayer:

Jesus, we believe you; all we heard is true. You break the bread and we recognise you. You’re the fire that burns within us; use us to light the world. Hear this prayer for your love’s sake because your reign, along with the Abba and the Holy Spirit, the Three in One God, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

The New Zealand Book of Common Prayer (adapted)

                                   

I don’t know about all of you, but I have regrets — things I shouldn’t have done; others I should have done. One of the things I regret not doing was offering the Eucharist to my Mother when she was dying in the hospital. Other than the obvious, I don’t know why but it feels like an important thing I could have done — should have done — for her. I felt so helpless. We all did.

But now I think about her every time I celebrate the Eucharist.

In another life, my rector (at the time) and I were sitting on his porch smoking our pipes. We were talking about a lot of things but the conversation turned to the Eucharist and how it’s served at the Episcopal church he oversaw. He explained that the rail separating the altar from the congregation was like a thin place between heaven and earth.[2] And then he said something that really set me back.

“When we’re at Christ’s table, everyone is there with us. Those who are beside us, certainly, but all of those who have gone on before us, too. We’re all sharing in Christ’s meal together.”

That’s gotta be something like Mary and Cleopas felt (his wife, the other disciple walking on the road; John 19.25). One of the older translations reads, “they knew him in the breaking of the bread” (DRA[3]). To me, this speaks of familiarity. Mary and Cleopas, along with the other disciples, had seen Jesus break bread time and time again and when he did it this time, the “scales fell from their eyes,” so to speak. 

Certainly, there was something different about Jesus, too. The Gospels tell of his appearance being “hidden” from people, of him “appearing,” and the like. Even here, Luke states that Mary and Cleopas didn’t recognize Jesus because God prevented it (verse 16). So I’m not suggesting that there wasn’t something supernatural going on here. But I think part of Jesus “revealing” himself to Mary and Cleopas was the way in which Jesus broke bread. The phrasing Luke uses here is almost identical to that used when describing the last supper — “And [Jesus] took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me’” (Luke 22.19; NIV[4]).

This also speaks to me about us not recognizing Christ in moments throughout our day. How often do we find ourselves in the presence of someone else — whether loved one or stranger — and we don’t see Christ in their face? How often do we not recognize Christ sitting next to us on the bus or in the person with a different religious or political view? In the book Celtic Fire: The Passionate Religious Vision of Ancient Britain and Ireland, edited by Robert Van de Weyer, there’s a simple poem by a hermit or monk regarding hospitality. In part it reads — 

Whether my guest is rich and noble, or whether he is poor and ragged, my tiny larder is always open. I shall never refuse to share my food, lest the Son of Mary should go hungry.[5]

This is reminiscent of something Jesus said — 

I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. 36I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me. … 40I assure you that when you’ve done it for one of the least of these sisters and brothers of mine, you’ve done it for me (Matthew 25.35-40; CEB[6]; adapted).

That’s what this lesson is teaching me — to see the Resurrected Jesus in others. But not only that; it’s teaching me to see Resurrection Life in all of God’s “supremely good” creation (Genesis 1.31; CEB).

What about you? What would it mean for our world if we saw in the faces of those around us — human and non-human like — the face of the Resurrected Jesus? Would it soften our hearts to the needs of our sisters and brothers? What difference would it make in the lives of others, especially with those with whom we disagree? 

~~~

In the Love of the Three in One,

Br. Jack+, LC

_________

[1] Scripture quotations marked (TPT) are taken from The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017, 2018 by Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ThePassionTranslation.com.

[2] This separation (an actual, physical division) between those on the side of the rail by the altar and those on the other side tells another story. Without even being aware of it (or being completely aware) this speaks volumes about who is “holy” or “worthy” and who is not. This is especially true when the people coming to the altar are to kneel with their hands stretched out before those on the other side of it. It’s like we’re begging for scraps, for a morsel from the “righteous” ones (Matthew 15.21-28).

That’s why I love celebrating Eucharist in a circle with each person — regardless of position or status, skin color, sexual orientation, gender or age — sharing the bread and wine with the person next to them. It speaks to equality, of recognizing Christ in each other.

[3] Scripture quotations marked (DRA) are taken from the Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition. Public Domain.

[4] Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

[5] Van de Weyer, R., (1990). Celtic Fire: The Passionate Religious Vision of Ancient Britain and Ireland, ppg. 128-129. New York, NY: Doubleday.

[6] Scripture quotations marked (CEB) are taken from The Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible.