“Then they told what had happened on the road and how Jesus had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.”
Luke 24:35
Pastor John Writes:
Cleopas and his unnamed companion walked with Jesus the seven miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus, and as evening came, they asked him, “stay with us, because the day is nearly over.” And so they had dinner at Emmaus.
During the day the men hadn’t recognized the resurrected Jesus, but at dinner “their eyes were opened” and they understood what had happened. Then they returned to Jerusalem and told the eleven how they had recognized Jesus when he broke the bread.
St. Teresa of Avila is quoted as saying, “Know that even when you are in the kitchen, our Lord moves amidst the pots and pans.” The constant, everyday tasks of life — cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, mowing the grass — can cause us more stress than anything else. Yet, St. Teresa had a different perspective in the 1500’s, as she saw these various obligations as gifts, opportunities to find God’s presence in a new way.
Our scriptures remind us, time and again, that the presence of Christ is made known even in those times when we simply eat together. As part of the greater human family, we depend upon each other not only for food, but for comfort and support and encouragement and fellowship.
Coming up this month, we’ll have a community meal on Wednesday, May 10, from 5:00-7:00 pm. This will be a country ham supper and donations will be accepted, but there will be no cost. Invite your friends, come, and enjoy! There will be more community meals in the months ahead, as we reach out to our community and invite people to come and experience God’s presence in a new way.
Peace to you,
The Rev. John G. Rights
