Easter Emmaus Encounter

This past week has been a tough week for us in here in Canada. Not only do we continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic we also were dealt the blow of home-grown terror with the killings in Nova Scotia. These two very different events have impacted us and have caused grief to settle in again in profound and unusual ways. As we continue to move forward each day of this pandemic and as we offer support and prayers for Nova Scotia and the families directly affected, I offer a reflection based on the Easter Emmaus Encounter.

An Emmaus Examination of Living for the Now

The Emmaus Road gospel story which is found in Luke 24: 13 – 35. It has much to ponder and offers us insights and a way to examen our living not only in this time of pandemic and sorrow but also in our “regular everyday” lives. There are several lines which jumped off the page for me, which caused me to sit with this gospel and let its wisdom penetrate my life. It is in examining our lives where we can then see steps forward and again give thanks and praise.

“talking with each other about all these things that had happened…”

We do a lot of talking in our life and now during the pandemic restrictions maybe even more so and in new social media and socially acceptable ways. We are talking a lot about what has and is happening; this is exhausting. I have had to ask myself: am I talking about anything that is life-giving, stirring my heart, calling me to be quiet instead of yakking about what everyone else is talking about to make myself feel okay? When I’m talking with people, I am being a voice which is kind, a voice of comfort, a voice of hope? Am I telling those closest to me how much I love them or I am waiting for another moment when we are talking about something else or another tragedy hits “closer” to home?

“their eyes were kept from recognizing him…”

I wonder how true this has been for me in the last few weeks? Have my eyes been blinded to how Christ is present and how he is speaking to me? What truths are arising? What uncomfortable realities am I facing?

“handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him…”

What has died in me?

What has been crucified again now?

Have I been condemning to death?

What have I grieved because of this time which feels like crucifixion not resurrection?

These are uneasy questions to ask and yet I have been able answer them for my own journey. How am I serving, my own darkness, what steps forward, the coldness of murder, in trying to be strong, as a coping mechanism, freedoms, lack of human contact, relationships changing again, and not being able to gather in the larger community for Eucharist all come to mind for my answers.

“they had indeed seen a vision of Angels who said that he was alive…”

This is a little nugget of hope. I hold on to the last three words. They serve as a reminder that resurrection is stronger than death and darkness and is always possible and at work.

“how slow of heart to believe…”

Yes! My slowness of heart, has been where I like to sit and wallow, this place of contentment in misery, this place of why and why not, this place of “I can see the big picture but it’s blurry and so very slowly coming into focus.”

And yet this place is a fleeting moment because I come back to “he is alive!” I know this slowness of heart is about transformation and being opened up to more and about depth and honesty and freedom.

Where has my slowness of heart surfaced in the last few days?

What does transformation feel like to me today?

“they urged him strongly, saying, “stay with us”…”

Yes Lord, stay with us! In this place here and now, in this reality and in our deep sorrow, in the shifting into a new normal, in the letting go of what has become normal in this time, in our hopes shattered and yet in our hope, in our fears, dreams, plans, prayers, whispers and pleas… stay with us.

“he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them… their eyes were opened and they recognized him…”

Where have I been recognizing the Risen Lord at work in these past few weeks?

How has bread been blessed and broken for me? Maybe I have been blessing and breaking it for others?

What has been nourishing me?

What has broken me? And what has broken me so I can again rise to new life and see with new eyes?

Am I recognizing the blessings in and among the trials of these uncertain and yet familiar times? In the stories and heartache shared?

Bread – nourishment – meals shared – messages sent – a board game played – a video enjoyed – a front step delivery left – yes, nourishment – bread for the body and soul.

Blessed – holy – gift – grace – simple – appreciated – needed – present among us.

Broken – for me, for you, for all, for life, for newness.

Given – for me, for you, for all, for life, for newness.

Opened – to begin again, freshness, aware, depth, freedom, again and again.

“The Lord is risen indeed… made known in the breaking of the bread.”

Yes! Indeed, our Risen Lord is present. He is our strength, courage and hope. The words of our prayers carried in his once broken now glorified body. Our struggles and longings, our tiredness and aches, our yearning and anguish continually held in the glorious light of his Risen body – all of us – his body – blessed – broken – given. Together as one, together we are stronger, together we walk our path of life which is the path of the Resurrection Day. We are raised up, we see again, we know our Savior in the breaking of the bread.

How do I need to break bread today so the Risen Lord may be made known? 

with who? for who?

Can I do this with hope and trust?

Risen Lord,

you are indeed with us,

when we forget this

you gently awaken our slow hearts

and let the yeast of goodness take hold

and transform us.

As we continue on in these days,

facing new realities, letting go of plans,

feeling sorrow, talking and walking

lost at times in a cloud of unknowing

walk with us,

open our minds and hearts

to the depth of your love and the promise

you made that you are with us always.

And Risen Lord

as we sit down to table to share in a meal

help us to be aware that you dine with us,

you break bread with us,

for you are our nourishment now,

and in the Eucharist

and at the eternal banquet.

Amen.

 Emmaus

Stay with us

let us dine

stories shared

enjoying and feasting.

Bread broken

it is the Lord

made known to us

our hearts alive.

Our lives transformed

hope abounds

good news indeed

He is Risen.

Our hearts on fire

we must share more

our mission inflamed

joy and courage as gift.

In word

in deeds

in broken bread

Christ is made known.