MOIRAJO
  • Weekly Devotionals
  • Weekly Message
  • Sermon Podcasts
  • Links
  • Contact

May 18th, 2017

5/18/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
"However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way (Acts 24:14)"

LISTEN: Brandon Heath, "Your Love"   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Vbg2dpX-EY


For most of us, Easter is long gone.  Summer's beckoning, and vacation plans are in the works.  Yet the church insists we remain in the season of Easter several more weeks, until June 8 (the feast of Pentecost).  We are called to reflect on the Risen Jesus and the process of resurrection in our own lives.  So we are invited to reflect and connect to the stories of Scripture.
​
One of the most amazing Easter stories is the walk to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). This is the only time Emmaus is mentioned in the bible.  We are  introduced to an unknown disciple, Cleopas and his unnamed companion, some think may be his wife.  Jesus appears to them at the start of the seven mile journey, but he is not recognized. They start chatting, there are questions, and soon they're talking about Jesus, and the "stranger" is opening their eyes to the scriptures about the messiah.   For hours they talk.  Finally when they hit Emmaus they invite Jesus in for a meal; Jesus blesses and breaks the bread -- and suddenly their eyes are opened -- it is the Lord! At that moment Jesus vanishes.  A journey that began with sadness and fear ends with joy.

The Emmaus Journey is a part of our spiritual lives.  In times of sadness or fear, it is difficult to recognize that Jesus is walking with us.  Life throws us questions that sometimes we are too preoccupied to hear.  "What are you talking about?"  "What things are happening?"   It is in the walking that the issues come out, everything starts to get sorted, the story begins to make sense.

When I was in seminary, I was blessed to have Dr. Kosuke Koyama, a Japanese theologian, as a teacher (Dr. Koyama also preached at my ordination service, a memory I will always treasure).  One concept Dr. Koyama taught frequently about was "the three-mile-an-hour God."  Humans naturally walk on average three miles an hour.  So that is the pace God has adapted in his journey with us.   Not faster not slower.  It's the pace of where our brain in turn is able to slow down, push aside distractions and begin to focus,  to connect, to relate. It's the time needed for a stranger to become friend.  For sadness to open to joy. For eyes to help the heart to open.  Journey becomes sacrament as the small company arrives to Emmaus and Jesus is recognized in the breaking of the bread.

The Emmaus journey is a precious gift of Easter.  What sadness lingers in your heart?  What is unresolved? 
Engage in the spirituality of walking.  Let the walk inform the talk.  Let the experience of walking without answers guide you.  It is for a good reasons early Christians called their faith "The Way."  Named for Jesus, ("The Way, the Truth and the Life" John 14:6), it reminds us life is journey, faith is journey, and the Risen Lord is there, walking next to us, each step of the way.   

In the beauty of Spring, walk.   If Walking is impossible, "walk" on the interior.  Walk with the questions, the sadness, the stories, the hopes and dreams. Emmaus is there, waiting for you. And then, hearts filled, return filled with good news to share.


Prayer:  "Jesus, walk with me as I walk this way. Lead me to bigger picture of my life -- help me find your love as I seek the purpose and journey of my life."

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Moirajo is a minister, social worker, wife, mother, writer and animal lover. That's just for starters. Join the story, there's so much we can share together! 

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    June 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

    Categories

    All

    Bible,  Living life on life's terms, spirituality

    RSS Feed

© Moira Ahearne 2017. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.