The Gospel reading Sunday was the familiar story of the resurrection appearance of Jesus to Cleopas and his unnamed friend as they traveled from Jerusalem to Emmaus. This appearance took place on the day of the resurrection, but late in the afternoon. Apparently, Cleopas and his friend were the first to see Jesus after he appeared to Mary that morning.
It’s a wonderful story . Jesus appears on the road on which they travel and asks what they two men are talking about . They’re astonished that he doesn’t know what been happening. We’re astonished that they don’t recognize him. They catch him up, including the rumor that Jesus has risen. But they are unable to make the connection that this is Jesus to whom they are talking. Later, they will reflect on the discussion that takes place between Jesus and them and realize that something was registering as their “hearts burned” within them. But it was vague.
When they arrive home, it’s late afternoon and they implore Jesus to join them. It’s not safe to be traveling alone. He stays and when he breaks the bread at the meal they realize it is the risen Lord. All this is neat, but it’s what they do next that is most important.
Even though it is seven miles back to Jerusalem and they are bound to be tired having just made that trip, and even though it is going to be dark before they can make it back to Jerusalem and dangerous, they head out immediately to tell the others.
Even though they are tired and even though there is danger involved, they can’t keep the news to themselves. To not put to fine a point on it, that is exactly to what we are called. Even though we grow tired physically or emotionally or are just caught up in our stuff, and even though we may be ignored or ridiculed, we need to be telling others about Jesus. The Jesus that is being proclaimed by so many today seems to have lost his loving, inclusive, and open nature. If we know a different Lord, we need to get the word out, even though we’ll be looked at as some “evangelist” from the fringe. I’d prefer to believe that proclaiming a Lord of love and patience, a Lord of forgiveness and mercy, a Lord of inclusion is the normal description of this man we love.
If those of us who think this way are silent, should we wonder than Christianity is becoming increasingly an irrelevant minority?
Peace,
Jerry+
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2 comments:
Maybe if as you say, we were more vigilant and put more energy into proclaiming that God of love and patience, we wouldn't have 3rd graders plotting to attack their teacher (referring to your previous post). Amazing that a message of peace is what would most likely be deemed "odd" or "out of touch" while the latest plot of Law & Order wouldn't raise any eyebrow. I've always believed fear is at the bottom of rage...we've become afraid of one another. But are we also afraid of love?
Yes, I think we are afraid of love. After all, love requires that we put someone else's welfare on a par with our own (at the very least) and that's just not our cultural norm anymore.
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