Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Re-reading of the Scripture with the Risen Lord
Luke 24:13-27Rev Denny Philip
Carmel MTC, Boston, MA
26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?”
 
Luke here brings our attention to the evening of Easter. The two travelling to Emmaus though their identity is not clear, belongs to the same group as the women who saw Jesus risen. They represent the fear, doubt and despair of the discipleship community even at the evening of Easter. The narration depicts how the presence of the risen Christ turned the direction of their journey from Emmaus to Jerusalem. Today we will focus our meditation on two aspects which helped these disciples to experience the power of resurrection.
Rereading of the scripture: On their way they were discussing on the happenings in Jerusalem. They were contemplating the Christ event, crucifixion and the resurrection amidst their fear and frustration. They were more preoccupied with their doubt and suspicion than faith in the Lord. The news of resurrection shocks them and intensifies their fears. So their present understanding of the scripture as well as their recollection of the Christ event results in further hopelessness. Jesus thus calls them “foolish” and “slow heart to believe”. Jesus’ interpretation of the scripture gives them a new light under which they were able to re interpret the Christ event. The proper opening of the scriptures burned their hearts and filled them with the insights of resurrection. (v.32)
Breaking of the Bread: The words “When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them” (v.30) reminds us of the night of the great supper where the sacrament of Holy Communion was instituted. Their eyes are opened during the sacrament. The sacraments help us to appropriate the mysteries that the human mind cannot comprehend and explain.  The mystery of the resurrection is revealed and experienced in the sacrament. The early church experienced and transmitted the message of resurrection, not through logical arguments and cognitive exercises, but through the participation in the sacraments.

The rereading of the scripture as well as the participation in the sacraments helps the disciples to open their eyes to see the risen Lord, which helped them to return to Jerusalem to be crucified with Jesus.

PRAYER

Lord, give us Your light to have the experience of resurrection so that we may move beyond our fears and frustrations to take up the tasks You have entrusted us. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Resurrection is a promise that helps to read the present with hope. 

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more