Thursday, April 8, 2010

On The Road Again



Risen Lord, be known to us in the breaking of the Bread. The story of Jesus meeting the two disciples on their way to Emmaus remains my very favorite Easter encounter. (Good old "doubting" Thomas is a close second!) I love the "code language" that Luke builds into the story: they are "on The Way," the name by which the earliest Christians were known before they were ever called Christians. (Not only does this suggest to me that the story is a never-ending one about disciples in every generation, but also that discipleship is in motion, and not static!) Jesus takes, blesses, breaks, and gives the Bread--all Eucharistic verbs. The Eucharistic theology of the newer liturgies returns us to these Easter roots of worship, rather than simply remembering a "last supper." Whenever our "hearts burn" as we read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest Holy Scripture--whenever our hearts burn because the sermon touches us and inspires us to think and act in new ways, Christ is present. Whenever our eyes our opened and we behold the Risen Christ in our midst, Easter happens. I guess that is what I like about this story so much. We can't go back and peak in the empty tomb. But we can be part of a bread-breaking community where Christ still "deigns to be our guest." We can be part of a community that knows and celebrates the fact that Christ meets us where we are, and walks beside us every step of the Way.


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