From the Rector - April 2024
“Were not our hearts burning within us?”
Luke 24:32
Dear Parish Family,
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Our Sunday morning Gospel readings this year move directly from the joy and surprise of the empty tomb (Easter Sunday) to the resurrected Jesus visiting with “doubting” Thomas and the other disciples (Easter II). There is a jump, then, over one of my favorite scriptural moments - the road to Emmaus.
“Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.” Luke 24:12
The story of two seemingly hopeless travelers, so preoccupied and forlorn by their current situation that they cannot even see Jesus right next to them is such a relatable thing. It gives us the chance to ask ourselves: “How many times, I wonder, have I had my head down so far that I’ve overlooked God’s very presence in my life?”
Indeed, how often might we casually move through our day, focused simply on chores and tasks and responsibilities? And in doing so, how often might we have plain missed the beauty of the present moment?
I appreciate that the story of the road to Emmaus invites us to ponder such questions. It’s important to remember that without intention we can be very much out of touch with God’s movement in our hearts and our daily lives.
Another thing I love about the road to Emmaus is the reminder that we all are called to be in community. These two individuals recognized together what they had missed.
Although we are all on our own journeys, we grow as we share with others – our stories, our doubts, our faith and our fears – the presence of God and the working of the Holy Spirit.
“With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him. Then they said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?’”
The two disciples, recognizing that burning in their hearts, “set out at once” - even despite the dangers of night travel. How different this journey would have been had they not done so! This time there were no downcast eyes, but bright cheer and joy as they continued to reflect on what had happened. They were now spreading the good news!
Jesus physically disappeared from that table in Emmaus, but we see how he remained with them in their burning hearts. Jesus remains present with us too, whether we recognize him or not. When we open our hearts and feel them burn, though, we become just like those two disciples, ready to go.
My friends, our world is in need of great healing. Let’s embrace our opportunity to run in joy - and to spread the good news of Christ’s love and tender mercy.
Happy Easter!
The Rev. C. Phillip Craig, Jr.