Dear ...........
No, I haven't forgotten you.
And, it's critical to know that above all, our Lord has not forgotten you.
Today the gospel we would have heard at Mass seems to be written especially for you .......... . Two young people, like you, who believe in him, have had faith shaken, their world in turmoil, and now are on the way back to where they came from.
Life has been turned inside out, all that they had counted on was seemingly crushed, put to an end.
When Jesus breathed for the last time, their hope vanished as it too seemed to die on the breeze of the storm that rolled over Gethsemane. In fact, so fearful they had become that they actually fled Jerusalem in fear that they too might be arrested and put to death.
So, what to do? They gathered up the few possessions they had with them and hit the road back home, to Emmaus.
Just two regular people, by no means well off, only one way existed for them to make that journey, walk. Their home town, was only about eight miles away. Still, who of us today would actually walk eight miles, anywhere? I know that I wouldn't, wouldn't be able to. Shame to say but nowadays I actually drive to the mailbox.
What else to talk about as they went but all that had occurred over this past weekend, when the world seemed to stagger, to become something they they couldn't understand and that left behind the corruption of fear.
Eight miles and goodness knows how many hours that they shared with the other regular people who also walked to and from the big city of Jerusalem. Nothing surprising to encounter others on the road. Taking notice that the man who now walked along in pace was not a soldier or some authority to worry about, they found it almost ordinary when he joined their pace. In fact, why wouldn't he? After all, he was alone, time filled in his present world and wouldn't conversation ease the time?
Still, they were surprised when he asked what they were discussing.
Can you believe it they thought, that this week end of all times, that he didn't know of what happened ? Jerusalem is big, bigger than Emmaus certainly but not so huge that everyone, everyone was talking about Jesus, the preacher from Nazareth who was arrested, for teaching peace. He had been over to the Romans, tried by that Roman governor, abused the usual Roman way but cut loose to be turned over to Jewish authorities.
How could this stranger not know that the Jews then, well, murdered him; murdered because he did no wrong in preaching peace, and did it in the inhuman way of Crucifixion.
They, like most of those who followed Jesus, had run off, afraid they they too might be arrested. That's why they were on the road in the first place. Surely, he too must be astounded by the word going around town that this murdered Jesus had arisen from the dead and had been seen by some of his followers. I mean, how could all that be missed ?
The following miles and hours were filled by this stranger joining them in the discussion as he explained to them the very scriptures of their
Jewish faith that explained why all of this had to happen.
Suddenly, here's Emmaus, their destination. They had been so caught up with this man and what he had to say that both time and distance had flown by, so much so in fact that they didn't want it to end. They had been renewed, perhaps to find healing and hope once again.
Thankfully, he accepted their invitation to stop in Emmaus with them, perhaps even to find lodging with them or a near by spot.
It was at that meal, that simple but nourishing meal, that this font of wisdom took bread, blest and gave it to them where they came to understand both what the scriptures meant and with whom they had been in communion with all along.
That's what you are preparing for ..........,. I'm only another person along the road with you. The very mysteries of God surround us and at times; perhaps such as those we have in this present day crisis , that can threaten both hope and faith.
Like the two men on the road we have discussed faith, but my absolute steel clad conviction is that you too will come to know faith in the Holy Communion you seek; Co-union with Jesus our Lord and Savior.
It is then that you will encounter and embrace the very source of hope and healing
D~C
No, I haven't forgotten you.
And, it's critical to know that above all, our Lord has not forgotten you.
Today the gospel we would have heard at Mass seems to be written especially for you .......... . Two young people, like you, who believe in him, have had faith shaken, their world in turmoil, and now are on the way back to where they came from.
Life has been turned inside out, all that they had counted on was seemingly crushed, put to an end.
When Jesus breathed for the last time, their hope vanished as it too seemed to die on the breeze of the storm that rolled over Gethsemane. In fact, so fearful they had become that they actually fled Jerusalem in fear that they too might be arrested and put to death.
So, what to do? They gathered up the few possessions they had with them and hit the road back home, to Emmaus.
Just two regular people, by no means well off, only one way existed for them to make that journey, walk. Their home town, was only about eight miles away. Still, who of us today would actually walk eight miles, anywhere? I know that I wouldn't, wouldn't be able to. Shame to say but nowadays I actually drive to the mailbox.
What else to talk about as they went but all that had occurred over this past weekend, when the world seemed to stagger, to become something they they couldn't understand and that left behind the corruption of fear.
Eight miles and goodness knows how many hours that they shared with the other regular people who also walked to and from the big city of Jerusalem. Nothing surprising to encounter others on the road. Taking notice that the man who now walked along in pace was not a soldier or some authority to worry about, they found it almost ordinary when he joined their pace. In fact, why wouldn't he? After all, he was alone, time filled in his present world and wouldn't conversation ease the time?
Still, they were surprised when he asked what they were discussing.
Can you believe it they thought, that this week end of all times, that he didn't know of what happened ? Jerusalem is big, bigger than Emmaus certainly but not so huge that everyone, everyone was talking about Jesus, the preacher from Nazareth who was arrested, for teaching peace. He had been over to the Romans, tried by that Roman governor, abused the usual Roman way but cut loose to be turned over to Jewish authorities.
How could this stranger not know that the Jews then, well, murdered him; murdered because he did no wrong in preaching peace, and did it in the inhuman way of Crucifixion.
They, like most of those who followed Jesus, had run off, afraid they they too might be arrested. That's why they were on the road in the first place. Surely, he too must be astounded by the word going around town that this murdered Jesus had arisen from the dead and had been seen by some of his followers. I mean, how could all that be missed ?
The following miles and hours were filled by this stranger joining them in the discussion as he explained to them the very scriptures of their
Jewish faith that explained why all of this had to happen.
Suddenly, here's Emmaus, their destination. They had been so caught up with this man and what he had to say that both time and distance had flown by, so much so in fact that they didn't want it to end. They had been renewed, perhaps to find healing and hope once again.
Thankfully, he accepted their invitation to stop in Emmaus with them, perhaps even to find lodging with them or a near by spot.
It was at that meal, that simple but nourishing meal, that this font of wisdom took bread, blest and gave it to them where they came to understand both what the scriptures meant and with whom they had been in communion with all along.
That's what you are preparing for ..........,. I'm only another person along the road with you. The very mysteries of God surround us and at times; perhaps such as those we have in this present day crisis , that can threaten both hope and faith.
Like the two men on the road we have discussed faith, but my absolute steel clad conviction is that you too will come to know faith in the Holy Communion you seek; Co-union with Jesus our Lord and Savior.
It is then that you will encounter and embrace the very source of hope and healing
D~C