Rest Assured

A Reflection on the Gospel for April 26th, 2020:
Third Sunday of Easter

---

Luke 24.13-35

On the first day of the week, two of the disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about eleven kilometres 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 Christ 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. These 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.
​

---

Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

---

"They were so disturbed when they saw him hanging on the cross that they forgot his teaching, did not look for his resurrection, and failed to keep his promises in mind".
(Sermon 235.1, Saint Augustine of Hippo)



Have you been disturbed lately? So disturbed that you have “forgotten His teaching”? The last few months have been disturbing indeed. The entire world has been disturbed, to say the least. Our lives, our livelihoods, our daily routines, our sleep, our eating habits, most things in most people's lives have been disturbed.


Saint Augustine of Hippo describes the Disciples in this gospel passage as “disturbed”. He says that they were so disturbed, “they forgot His teaching”. So what was the teaching that they forgot?


Jesus taught many things throughout the three years of His active ministry but in His own words, this is was He says about His mission:

“I was born for this, I came into the world for this, to bear witness to the truth; and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice.” (John 18:37)


The truth today is the same as it was three months ago, and three years ago, and three centuries ago — and from the beginning of time.


“For this is how God loved the world: he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (John 3:16)


                  
We have a God who loves us, and no matter how disturbed we are feeling, we can rest assured in this truth. This is the time to take sides. We can either take the side of Truth and believe that God has a plan and a purpose for this time in history or we can take the side of the lie that tells us that we are at the mercy of the world and nothing good can come from this. But remember friends, no matter which side we choose, the Truth will prevail!


Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, may Your love permeate every part of our lives so that we can rest in the truth that You will use this time for good. Amen.




Maxine Brown

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

---