Scriptural Basis
Luke 24:13-35 (NRSV)
Now on that same day, the first day of the week, two of the disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?" They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?" He asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him." Then he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?" That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Blog Reflection
I write this particular blog post with some sadness and anger. Yesterday we learned that a senator in the Minnesota State Senate has introduced a bill that would amend discrimination into our State Constitution that would ban marriage equality for same-sex couples. If passed by both houses there will be a measure placed on the 2012 ballot that gives a majority in Minnesota the power to vote on the marriage rights of a minority of people. If you would like to help us fight this amendment, please sign this petition.
When I open the Lectionary page for today's Gospel to write this blog I find one of my favorite Easter stories. The walk to Emmaus.
This is one of my favorites because it helps say what Susan Russell said so well on Good Friday that "the worst we can do cannot kill the love of God." To those of us who are LGBT here in Minnesota today, we are feeling like the worst is about to come upon us.
This story of the walk to Emmaus is a reminder that the risen Jesus walks along beside us amidst our sorrow and grief. When we feel like we have been betrayed by someone we trusted, the risen Christ is with us in the breaking of the bread. Christ the resurrected Savior feeds us with the very presence of God to show that we are not alone. We are not losers. We are not orphaned. God is close to us and loves us all.
Jesus Christ walks with the marginalized of society and the Church. Jesus feeds us with the fullness of God's Self and lets people such as LGBTQ people know that God is so much closer to them than all the discrimination and violence that Christianists and arch-conservative Catholics/Episocpalians/Anglicans/Orthodox/Lutherans and so many more can throw at us.
In Jesus Christ we are not dead as many say. We are alive through the Jesus who gave himself out of love for all God's people and rose from the dead to make of LGBTQ people among God's redeemed.
Do you feel like you are alone today?
Look no further than inside yourself and listen with the ears of your heart to God tell you that you are a beloved child of God. With you, God is well-pleased.
Prayers
O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for Wednesday in Easter Week, Book of Common Prayer, page 211).
Look with pity, O God, upon the people in this land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Oppressed, Book of Common Prayer, page 826).
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