I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, *because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him. (Psalm 116:1)
Today we hear a much loved story of how Jesus continues to come near following his rising to new life. The story of two disciples, one named Cleopas and the other unidentified so that we can become a part of the story, are walking away from Jerusalem.
Luke tells us they are on a road to Emmaus and that they are heartbroken. As they walk they share their grief, their fear, their confusion about the crucifixion of their beloved Jesus on whom they had placed their hope. All they had imagined has been shattered. The life they expected to live is forever changed. Their teacher, their beloved friend, their hope has been taken from them. So they walk with their backs turned away from their dreams, lost in regret and sadness.
Many of us are on our road to Emmaus. None of us could have predicted just a little over a month ago, that we would be entering our second month quarantined from those we love and our larger community. None of us could have possibly foreseen the destruction this novel virus, which we have no immunity to or defenses against, would cause the loss of the lives of tens of thousands of people of all ages, but in particular the poor, the fragile, and those needed to protect us all. None of us could have foreseen the devastation this virus has had on jobs, on access to food, on housing security and on the promise of education for our children and youth. Much of what we hoped and planned for just last February has been shattered. Many of our lives have been changed if not forever, certainly in ways we cannot begin to imagine. We spend much time talking and sharing how much of our dreams have been taken away, how lives are forever changed, how sadness has taken up residence in our hearts.
And this is when, Luke tells us, Jesus himself comes near. Jesus always meets us where we are, whether in celebration or in mourning. Jesus carefully listens to the pain, the disappointment, the yearning and then begins to open up a way to hope. Jesus shares the words in scripture that remind them that throughout the history of humankind there have been times where the darkness seemed complete, where devastation seemed total, where the idea of hope was an unimaginable possibility.
But in those times, God has shown God’s faithfulness. God has never abandoned God’s beloved children. We are the work of God’s hands, God’s own creation, God’s love endures forever. When slavery broke the bodies of the Israelites and nearly destroyed their spirit, God brought liberation. When lost and confused they struggled through the wilderness, God provided manna, water, and the gift of presence. When forced by war to flee their homes and face life in a threatening and foreign land, God sends prophets to help them learn how to live in exile. When stripped of the promise of redemption through Jesus’s crucifixion by the Roman empire, Jesus continues to come close. Jesus himself comes near, opening their hearts to promise.
Time and again, when the events of life says “no way,” God says, “Follow me.” “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Time and again when powers of the world say, “ You are done for.” God says, “I have come so you may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10)
Time and again when events of life say, “ You are not worthy” God says, “You are my beloved, I have chosen you, do not fear for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God.” (Isaiah 41)
As darkness gathers, Cleopas and the other disciple, turn toward their home. Jesus seems to continue on. But they call to him and invite him to join them inside. This is when the guest becomes the host. At table with them, he takes the bread, blesses and breaks it, and gives it to them. We are told it is then, “their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.” Jesus then vanishes, or as Bishop Doug tells us in his most recent sermon, the Greek actually says, “he disappeared among them.” Jesus did what he will continue to do, to go out ahead of us, to call us to him, to invite us to be with him wherever life takes us.
Gathering at table in the times of Luke’s community was a celebration to remember and to strengthen the community. For the 1st century Jewish community, the dinner table was treated as if it were the altar. Scholars believe this may have allowed the Jewish faith to survive following the destruction of the second Temple in 70 CE. Ancient Jewish meals were occasions to gather lost and scattered Israel. This meal in Emmaus was exactly that. It is here the disciples recognized Jesus.
Today you are invited to share the feast of thanksgiving so that together our eyes may be opened to the grace and presence of God in every part of our lives. In these times when we cannot gather together physically, because we love one another, we can still come together to share and remember Jesus’ life, death, and rising to new life. Together by sharing bread and wine, or crackers and juice in our own homes, our eyes can be opened to the One who continues to come near.
In a time of sheltering in place, hearing heartbreaking stories, and fearing what the world will look like once we are able to emerge from our safe places, it is in the simple things that Christ is revealed. It is in simple things that we remember that love, mercy, strength and joy are still among us.
The Emmaus story speaks to this reality.
God shows up as we walk at a safe distance, cherishing the sunshine, contemplating our new world, and waving at our masked neighbors. God shows up in a FaceTime visit with family. God shows up as we read and study scripture online. God shows up as we put together bags of food for our hungry neighbors. God shows up when we make and share face masks for front line workers. God shows up as we check-in on each other to make sure no one has to face this trouble alone. God shows up as we gather around a Zoom screen to pray, sing, and then take a bit of bread, a sip of wine, and share a meal.
God is everywhere.
I can certainly testify that my heart has burned within me in these past weeks. It is a true blessing to see your faces, hear your voices, to be able to celebrate God’s goodness and presence with you. To be able to share the reality that while deep sadness is real, Jesus himself comes near us, and in love, walks with us.
The stranger who is the Savior still meets us on the lonely road to Emmaus. The guest who becomes our host still nourishes us with Presence, Word, and Bread.
So look for God.
Listen for God.
Invite God in to bless and keep you.
Christ is risen!! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia.