Scriptural Basis
Luke 24:13-35 (NRSV)
That very 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
One of the more moving scenes in Steel Magnolias is when Ouiser Boudreaux played by Shirley MacLaine approaches Truvy Jones' new hired hairdresser Annelle to find out who the new stranger in town is. The exchange of information turns out to be that Annelle's husband had just vanished with their car, Annelle's jewelry, clothes because he is involved with drugs. The panic on Annelle's face of losing her job for having revealed this information is quickly relieved when all the women hearing about Annelle's tragic story come together to help her. Shelby quickly offers Annelle to drop by her house to share in her wedding reception, even offers her a nice dress to wear for the event. A conversation with a group of strangers turns into an opportunity to help and comfort and offer friendship.
The disciples in today's Gospel were really down after all of the events of Good Friday. Along comes a man who they think is a stranger who shares with them all the Scriptures that were relevant to Jesus' suffering, death and resurrection. Yet, the two disciples are not so moved by the conversation. It is only when Jesus sits and breaks bread that their eyes are open to who this stranger was. At the moment when they recognized him, he vanished. All that remained was the broken bread for them to share in.
When someone or something strange goes on around us. We are not so quick to believe it. We are all skeptics of new and unusual things and people. When a common meal is shared between people, that meal suddenly becomes a sacred event as Out in Scripture's commentary suggests for today's readings.
Breaking bread together can open paths for friendship and intimacy. By breaking the bread, a common meal becomes sacred. Trust can be built, and we can learn to care about each other and feel secure in revealing ourselves in all fullness. The Gospel calls the LGBT and straight community to come to the table — to eat, laugh, cry, love. Our hope through Christ is that, in the sharing of the meal, we can co-create a world that accepts us as God created us. When we open up and truly get to know “the other” – who, like us, embodies Christ – will not our hearts burn with joy?
The Eucharistic Table where we believe the real presence of Christ is shared with all, must be a meal shared with and by all. As we share in the Sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood we are claimed by the crucified and risen Jesus as the Body of Christ broken and shared with all of the world. That includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people. When the table is open to all, our suspicions about one another should evaporate as the love of God in Christ literally embraces us with that bountiful grace.
But, let's be honest. We are all human. Our suspicions and prejudices do not disappear. There are still many who feel that the Table of the Lord should not be open to LGBT people or women who have had abortions etc. There are still those who will not receive Holy Communion from the hand of a female priest or deacon. Are not our hearts burning within us as Christ speaks to us through God's words of compassion and inclusion?
If the Altar is the Table of the Lord, where Christ shares his Body and Blood through the Holy Sacrament, who are we to refuse that experience to those who wish to come and share? Why are we not more eager to extend arms of hospitality and reconciliation to all who have been harmed by the Church's history of bias against women and LGBT people?
This past week has been very painful for the LGBT communities in Minnesota. We have watched as our Minnesota State Legislature has been fast tracking a constitutional amendment that would ban marriage equality for LGBT Minnesotan's. This bill does more than just bar us from marriage equality. It would also deny all LGBT Minnesotan's from visiting and caring for our partners in the hospital when they are sick and dying. It would also deny LGBT families in Minnesota the right to care for our partners remains when they are deceased. A few years ago a Minnesota man went through this horrible nightmare when his partner of 26 years died in their home. The grieving husband had to phone his deceased partner's mother to identify the dead man's body before the State Medical Examiner would remove it from their home. You see marriage equality in Minnesota is not the law. So the State Medical Examiner could not take the now widowed and grieving partner's words that his late partner was who he said he was. The Minnesota State Legislature has included in this amendment that the experiences of that man, would be the story of all LGBT families in Minnesota if the voters in 2012 pass the amendment.
One Representative from Minnesota made an argument against this amendment based on religious discussions. Rep. Steve Simon of St. Louis Park asked the question: "How many gay people does God have to create before we ask ourselves whether or not God actually wants them here?" You can watch the video using the link below
YouTube - How Many Gays Must God Create Before We Accept That He Wants Them Around?
I am using this today because it does disturb me that people would encourage an amendment that is designed to put discrimination into the Minnesota or any state's constitution based on religious principles. In so doing, they give the resurrected Jesus a bad Name. Are not our hearts burning within us when the risen Christ comes to speak to us of justice, compassion, inclusion and hope for all God's people? Why then are Christians so determined to encourage hate and harm to one group of people?
Do we recognize the risen Christ in one another through the breaking of the bread?
As Christians who share in the Body and Blood of Christ among the things we need to understand is that all humanity is connected to each other. When we hurt one part of humanity, we ultimately hurt ourselves. When we discriminate against women, immigrants, African Americans, Native Americans and so forth, we are creating atmospheres of bias against ourselves. Once we allow one group of people to be harassed, violated and abused, it never stops before we justify it for just about anyone. That certainly was not the purpose of what happened during Holy Week and what we celebrate during the Easter Season.
The risen Christ comes to walk with us and break bread with all of us. To help us know that we are all connected and responsible with each other. Each one of despite our differences is a beloved creation by God's most generous love, and is redeemed by God's extravagant grace. There is no reason to scapegoat or put any single person in a Pandoras Box to go no where else except by our wishing for them to do so. The resurrection is for freedom, not an excuse to justify oppression.
As we continue through this Easter Season may we know that the risen Christ walks with us and feeds us as Christ breaks the bread of love and inclusion with all of God's holy people.
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 the Third Sunday of Easter, Book of Common Prayer, page 224).
Help our hearts to be Spirit-filled, O Christ.
Help us to burn with passion for you and
for your people throughout the world.
May our passion ignite flames of justice and hope
in the midst of hopelessness and pain.
May the warmth of our fire be a sign
of your compassionate presence in the world.
In the name of the Risen Christ, Amen. (Prayerfully Out in Scripture).
No comments:
Post a Comment