Monday 4 May 2020

Sermon for 3rd Sunday of Easter 26 April 2020 Rev'd Anne Cunliffe


The Emmaus Road (Luke 24.13-35)

What kind of a journey are you on? Even when we are unable to venture far, we are still on a journey.  These two followers of Jesus were on a journey to Emmaus, they felt they needed to get away from Jerusalem, it was just too painful to stay there. They were downhearted, confused, angry even, what had happened to all their hopes and expectations? – we had hoped that he was the one to save Israel, they had told this stranger, who had joined them on the way.

Before leaving Jerusalem, they had heard that the women who had gone to the tomb had found it empty, the body of Jesus was nowhere to be seen, an angel had said he was risen. Even so, they felt that did not give them a reason to hang about in case there was something in this story. For them Jesus was dead and gone, they did not expect to see him ever again.

The encounter with the stranger was an opportunity for them to relive their memories, to share their hopes and their disappointment! When the stranger opened the scriptures to them, on reflection, it was as if he had broken the word of God open, made it more alive to them, nourished them with these precious words, and their hearts felt as if they were on fire.

Arriving at their destination, it was a natural thing for them to offer hospitality to the stranger. Stay with us they said, have some supper. Through their invitation they received the gift of recognition. As he blessed and broke the bread and shared it with them their eyes were opened, it was Jesus…..then he disappeared…..leaving them, leaving us to become Christ for others.

The whole journey had been one of transformation; they were transformed from sadness, foolishness and slowness of heart to joy, insight and commitment.
That journey of transformation would continue for the rest of their lives and beyond…..it is the same for us.

I am reminded that in all the Easter stories, the friends of Jesus do not go searching for him; Jesus comes to them. He comes to Mary in the garden; he comes to the disciples through locked doors as they hide in fear; and to Cleopas & his companion; as they walk away from all that has happened; as they walk away from Jesus, Jesus walks towards them.
In all these encounters, he comes to be where they are; he knows where they are! Still the risen Christ comes to be where we are. Today and every day he journeys with us. Even when we do not realise it, Jesus is our companion on the way but we rarely recognise him.

The climax of this beautiful story is as Jesus makes himself known to them in the breaking of bread which points us to the Eucharist. Though we are unable to gather together at present and be nourished by the sacrament of Holy Communion, we can be assured that God in Christ gives himself to us over and over again; God feeding us, nourishing us with his own life.
This story especially reminds us too that Jesus is also always present to us in his holy word.

In these challenging days may we be open to the nourishment God daily offers us and always be ready to be drawn into the mystery of his hidden presence.


Let us pray:
Lord, we thank you that you come to be where we are, that you understand our confusion, our fear & frustration, and our downheartedness. Help us to know your presence with us and open our eyes to your glory all around us.
Lord, in your mercy…hear our prayer

Lord, we thank you for the gift of your Holy Word. May your Holy Spirit break open the Scriptures to us and help us to understand Godly ways and to find ourselves in your story…
Lord, in your mercy…

Lord, we pray for all who are ill with the coronavirus…
For loved ones who watch at a distance and feel helpless… 
  bring hope and healing…
We pray that your Holy Spirit might inspire those who are researching treatments and vaccines…
Keep us all strong in faith, hope and love…
Lord, in your mercy…

We pray for the brokenhearted, all who have lost loved ones through the coronavirus…..be their companion in their sadness…and we remember those who have died, especially any known to us….. may they rest in peace and rise in glory.
Lord, in your mercy…

In confidence we entrust ourselves and all who are affected by this virus to your infinite power and love in the prayer that Jesus taught us:

Our Father, who art in heaven…

May the Father’s touch of healing, the Son’s touch of love, and the Spirit’s touch of transformation, touch you today and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be among you and remain with you always.  Amen.


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