| Acts 3: 1 – 10 Psalm 105: 1-8 St. Luke 24: 13 – 35 Conversation is something we do not participate in so much as once. We talk at each other. We talk past each other. Two men in distress are headed out of Jerusalem for a place called Emmaus. They are anonymous disciples, perhaps fleeing for their safety, as Jesus has been crucified, and rumored followers are in mortal peril. What to make of their circumstance? How fortunate that these two disciples are not isolated with their own thoughts. The gift of discourse is at hand. They are teasing out between themselves recent events, the peril in which they stand; what might be true, and where they ought, perhaps, flee tomorrow, after a night of rest at the Hampton Inn on the central square in Emmaus. Another traveler joins them, and conversation becomes animated. This newcomer challenges many of their preconceptions, and asks questions that give them pause. “What is this conversation you are having?” asks the interloper. What is your premise? Have you fully thought through your conclusions? Who would tolerate a conversation like that in our current context? I am trolled on Facebook by “friends” who only ever comment if I diverge from their perceived view of the world. They opinion bomb and shut down any reflection on any post perceived to diverge from their established interpretation of these times, our politics, the currently favored dear leader. ‘Ni modo.’ Facebook is adiaphora. Facebook does underscore, however, a time in which many prefer the reaffirmation of existing prejudice to the creative evaluation of the limitation of personal perspective. At one point, the interloper, who we will soon learn is the Risen Lord, is harsh with his new traveling companions. “You are foolish people. You are slow of heart.” He explains matters to his fresh acquaintances. To their very great credit, the twosome extends an invitation to the problematic interloper to share their junior-suite at the Hampton Inn. The dining room is closed, so they do make-shift at the microwave. The annoying interloper breaks bread, and the twosome watch pre-judgment shatter…they recognize God in their midst…”where two or three are, there I AM.” Conversation has gone from reflective reassessment to spiritual insight…all in the course of a ten-mile hike and a lousy dinner. I am not so isolated as some, though I’m working this social-distancing thing so much as a priest may. We are post-Good Friday. The crucifixion has occurred. So has the resurrection; though, like those two souls on the road to Emmaus, we may not yet have fully apprehended its meaning. Primary steps in apprehension involve discourse…real and rare conversation; perhaps these days by Zoom or Skype or phone call. Little genuine dialogue can ever be expected, I don’t imagine, on either Twitter or Facebook. True engagement with one another, perhaps with an interloper, and then, perhaps, miracle of miracles: hospitality extended in the midst of happenstance; can make scales to fall from hearts, and eyes that see with astounding clarity. “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” -2 Corinthians 13:14 The Reverend Canon George F. Woodward III The Collect for Tuesday in Easter Week “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 and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen” BCP page 223 In the Morning “This is another day, O Lord. I do not know what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.” BCP page 461 |
| St. Paul’s Anglican Church Calzada del Cardo, 6 Centro 37700, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico 415.121.3424 www.StPaulSMA.com |