Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
The Resurrected Christ Who Encourages the Dispirited
St. Luke 24:13-35
While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them. (St. Luke 24:15)
Devotion:
The selected passage begins with two of Jesus’ disciples leaving Jerusalem and walking back to their home in Emmaus. They are both saddened and confused as they travel along. They are filled with sorrow having witnessed the cruel and unjust death of their beloved leader, and they are puzzled that there are now reports that Jesus’ tomb was found empty. We can only imagine the intensity of their conversation as they journeyed back to their home. And while they were discussing all these things, Jesus Himself joined them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.
The first thing that Jesus did when He joined them on their journey was to listen to them. He asked them a simple, open-ended question and then listened to their answer. Cleopas and his friend openly shared what was on their hearts, and Christ listened attentively and compassionately. This simple action of Jesus reminds us that our risen Lord is walking with us through this life, even when we are dispirited and are not able to recognize Him.
Not only is Christ journeying with us, but He also demonstrates how we are to minister to others. Ministry begins with joining someone on their journey, walking and talking with them, opening ourselves to someone else’s pains and predicaments. It is only subsequently that Jesus shared scripture with His companions, while their hearts burned, to help them to understand that the cross was necessary and that everything that Jesus did in His life and in His sufferings was done out of great love for the redemption of the world.
Once they reach home, Jesus is invited in, and He takes bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to them. This modest meal becomes a holy encounter, one in which the eyes of the disciples are opened, enabling them to recognize Jesus. The breaking of the bread is reminiscent of the Holy Communion, an act of worship that opens our eyes to see Christ and to receive His amazing and life-transforming grace.
As soon as the disciples recognize Jesus, He vanishes from their sight, but they immediately rush back to Jerusalem to share the good news that Christ has risen indeed. In a similar way, our worship and participation in the sacrament of Holy Communion should empower us to proclaim God’s grace to all and to serve our Lord and others in love. We should always serve with a sense of urgency – to share our faith, to love our neighbor, and to do all that Jesus has commanded us to do. After our eyes have been opened to see our risen Lord, how can we do any less?
While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them. (St. Luke 24:15)
Devotion:
The selected passage begins with two of Jesus’ disciples leaving Jerusalem and walking back to their home in Emmaus. They are both saddened and confused as they travel along. They are filled with sorrow having witnessed the cruel and unjust death of their beloved leader, and they are puzzled that there are now reports that Jesus’ tomb was found empty. We can only imagine the intensity of their conversation as they journeyed back to their home. And while they were discussing all these things, Jesus Himself joined them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.
The first thing that Jesus did when He joined them on their journey was to listen to them. He asked them a simple, open-ended question and then listened to their answer. Cleopas and his friend openly shared what was on their hearts, and Christ listened attentively and compassionately. This simple action of Jesus reminds us that our risen Lord is walking with us through this life, even when we are dispirited and are not able to recognize Him.
Not only is Christ journeying with us, but He also demonstrates how we are to minister to others. Ministry begins with joining someone on their journey, walking and talking with them, opening ourselves to someone else’s pains and predicaments. It is only subsequently that Jesus shared scripture with His companions, while their hearts burned, to help them to understand that the cross was necessary and that everything that Jesus did in His life and in His sufferings was done out of great love for the redemption of the world.
Once they reach home, Jesus is invited in, and He takes bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to them. This modest meal becomes a holy encounter, one in which the eyes of the disciples are opened, enabling them to recognize Jesus. The breaking of the bread is reminiscent of the Holy Communion, an act of worship that opens our eyes to see Christ and to receive His amazing and life-transforming grace.
As soon as the disciples recognize Jesus, He vanishes from their sight, but they immediately rush back to Jerusalem to share the good news that Christ has risen indeed. In a similar way, our worship and participation in the sacrament of Holy Communion should empower us to proclaim God’s grace to all and to serve our Lord and others in love. We should always serve with a sense of urgency – to share our faith, to love our neighbor, and to do all that Jesus has commanded us to do. After our eyes have been opened to see our risen Lord, how can we do any less?
Prayer
Our Lord, Jesus Christ, we thank You that You are the one who encourages us even when we are discouraged and dispirited. Open our eyes to recognize You in our midst. May our hearts be overwhelmed by Your grace as we strive to share the joy of Your resurrection with those around us. May all glory be Yours. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Let us not be discouraged for our Lord has risen indeed and is walking with us on our journey through life to enable us to share our faith and our joy with the world.
Rev. Christopher Phil Daniel
Diocesan Program Manager & Vicar of Jerusalem MTC, Connecticut
Our Lord, Jesus Christ, we thank You that You are the one who encourages us even when we are discouraged and dispirited. Open our eyes to recognize You in our midst. May our hearts be overwhelmed by Your grace as we strive to share the joy of Your resurrection with those around us. May all glory be Yours. Amen.
Thought for the Day
Let us not be discouraged for our Lord has risen indeed and is walking with us on our journey through life to enable us to share our faith and our joy with the world.
Rev. Christopher Phil Daniel
Diocesan Program Manager & Vicar of Jerusalem MTC, Connecticut