Dear Faith Families,
In our very busy world, it can be hard to maintain focus. We are pulled in so many different directions with the expectations of work, family, school, and society. The busyness and noise of this world is exhausting.
In the Gospel reading for the Third Sunday of Easter, our Risen Lord encounters two disciples who were exhausted by the circumstances they had endured. While they did not have to face the chaotic whims of the modern world, still their exhaustion was profound. Luke tells us that they are anxiously discussing the life of Christ and His crucifixion. And they say that they “had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.” (Luke 24:21).
Notice the tense of the verb: “had hoped.” From this verb, we get the idea that while Jesus was alive among them, working miracles and preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, they were filled with HOPE. And then He died on the cross, and their hope came to an end. Death has a way of doing that, doesn’t it? It crushes us and our hopes and our dreams.
For the disciples this was an emotional roller coaster ride. And it was exhausting. But the exhaustion doesn’t stop there. Luke tells us that the disciples were even more confused by the testimony of the women concerning the empty tomb and the vision of angels testifying that He had risen. While we now recognize this as Good News, the first disciples struggled to understand what was happening and what they should believe. They felt like we often do: pulled in many directions, confused and exhausted.
But then something happens. They meet Jesus on the Road. At first they don’t recognize Him. He talks with them, teaches them. Their hearts burn within them as the Holy Spirit reveals the meaning of His Word to them. And finally, He sits down with them, blesses and breaks the bread and gives it to them. And “he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.” (Luke 24:35)
Pay attention to this!
In the midst of the crazy chaos of this broken world, where do we find peace? Where is the noise and confusion stopped? In the Word of Christ, and in the breaking of the bread!
It’s true that we still find ourselves pulled in many different directions. Even as a Church and School, there are a lot of competing needs and desires. Often things seem chaotic and we are confused and exhausted.
Yet when we gather in worship, our Lord comes to us, in the same way He came to the disciples on the Emmaus Road. Though He has now bodily ascended into heaven, yet still He is revealed to us in His gracious Words of forgiveness, life and salvation. And He still comes to us in the breaking of the bread, as He blesses us and feeds us with His true Body and Blood. And in this we know the peace that surpasses understanding — peace that quiets the chaos of this broken world. For in His Word and in the blessed Sacrament, our faith and hope are renewed and our lives are re-focused on Christ, our Risen Savior. Amen.