Finally catching on

This was probably about the fourth Lenten season that I started reading Death on a Friday Afternoon. I started even before Lent this time, thinking that this would finally be the year I finished it "on time." 

Well, I still didn't. 

But fortunately, the time I spent with Fr. Mike Schmitz doing the Bible in a Year program last year taught me to stop thinking in terms of "on time." Fr. Neuhaus has made clear that it's always a good time to think about Good Friday, and that the Crucifixion and Resurrection are each best contemplated in the light of the other anyway. They each provide the context in which the other should be understood, and they both provide the meaning for my daily life. 

So I have some of the book left, and will continue to read and share from it during this Easter season. This will probably give me time to soak in some of the content that I've rushed through in the past because I was "late" finishing up.

Happy grandpa, sad grandpa

It was really nice that our second-oldest grandson came over for a while yesterday.

It was really disappointing that our oldest grandson bailed out on us for dinner.

A dark moment takes me by surprise

"Not that we long to die . . . " our pastor said in his Easter homily, in the context of our eternal life in Christ giving us perspective on death.

"The hell I don't," my brain insisted.

Exulting!

I'm sorry he got sick. But I'm really glad I got to sing the Exsultet!

I love the Easter vigil. Somehow we used to finish it under three hours with all eight possible readings. For some reason we now barely manage that with only the minimum five. I miss the ones we don't get to hear anymore, especially the Genesis reading with Jacob and Isaac, on which Michael Card's song God Will Provide the Lamb was based.

The rest of Easter weekend

Friday night I was up with foot and leg cramps about 5 times during the night. It made for an awful night's sleep, following a short one the two previous nights.

Saturday, I got the choir area set up early, then went with my wife to buy some tomato, pepper, and herb plants.

Great Easter liturgies w/ Fr. Dave (vigil, 10:30) and Fr. Satish (8). 14 baptisms at vigil, making it a very long service, so it was about 1 a.m. before I got to bed. I was committed to 8 a.m. mass, too, so another short night. But both Easter morning services were also very nice. The wonderful bonus at 10:30 mass was ministering in music as our dear friends' twin grandchildren were baptized.

We had a wonderful meal together, and though my 30-minute afternoon nap was a little shorter than I probably needed, it was a small price to pay.

I was really sad, though, at not hearing from our youngest daughter. I'd left a voice message, and didn't hear anything back. I was feeling a bit of a hole in my heart, despite the otherwise great day we were having. Then, just after our cousins left, we got a text that our youngest and her boyfriend were going to come by for a short while. I felt so relieved, then overjoyed when I heard her kids' voices shouting their Happy Easter greetings as they came through the door!

Still, this made me aware of what our oldest is going through. I've got to try to help her son get over his anger at her and reconcile.

I still have some Good Friday thoughts to share . . .

Principles of authority, part i

I just love this passage I read last week in this book; it has been in my mind all weekend, and strikes me as especially appropriate for Easter. I want to set the context for it, though: Neal is establishing five principles about authority that are crucial for Christians who desire to walk in the kingdom of God. (All quotations from Neal Lozano's Abba's Heart.)

1. Carrying our authority means submitting to Jesus' authority.

We tend to be fine with wielding authority, but not so much with submitting to it. Or: we're perfectly fine with submitting to Jesus' authority as long as we decide for ourselves what that means! Neal talks further about how Jesus' authority flows to us from the Father when we submit to Him, and that's worth reading, too. It's the second principle, though, that contains the passage in which I've been soaking:

2. Walking in one's identity and destiny requires exercising the authority God gives to His children.

This is why the first principle is so very vital for us. If we misunderstand or misapply God's authority in our lives, we lack the power to walk as children of the Kingdom. So here is what has been blessing me:

We discover our identities and fulfill our destinies as we wield His authority . . . The liberation of creation that began with the Son continues with the sons and daughters of God who exercise their Father's authority on earth. This authority was bestowed upon the firstborn over all creation, Jesus the King, and flows to all who receive Him. Jesus has defeated Satan, sin, and death so that He could bring us home. (!) Now we enter His place as a son or daughter and continue the battle in a war He has already won. Every day we enter a battle to become children of God in this world, while at the same time we belong to Him already.

Yes, this is it. We know that Jesus has done it all, and that is true, so we forget that we are the Body of Christ in the world, called to let Him continue to do it through us. So yes: the strife is o'er, the war has been won, but word of our enemy's defeat hasn't reached all the distant battlefields in his theater of operations. And why should it? We keep giving him victory in so many battles by not realizing the authority we have and wielding the loving power it brings to our defense.

Transforming (phase 4) - Jesus appears to the disciples on the lakeshore (step 31) - session 3

(H)e appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. - (1 Cor 15: 5b-8)

I'm not sure what the purpose is for having this reading as part of this step (and it only calls for verses 6-8). To me, the important part of this scripture passage comes follows in later verses:

Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied. 

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.- (12-21)

One of the things I find most compelling about the apostles' testimony is that they don't try to make themselves out as something they aren't. They have included their warts: Peter's denial, Thomas' doubt - indeed, that of all the disciples, their collective abandonment of Jesus at his arrest, Saul's persecution of the church. If the resurrection were a falsehood, surely they would have taken the opportunity to present themselves in a better light, too. Paul, of course, would not have had that luxury, as there were too many contemporaries who were all too familiar with his persecution of the church. And in the verses I've skipped, we hear him bragging a little about how hard he has worked in light of the nature of his sins. But by and large, the New Testament writings do not present the followers of Jesus in the best possible light.

If this life is all there is, then our experiences in this world are all that matter, and we should maximize our joy so long as it doesn't diminish the joy of others. This is why we are to be pitied, because we preach a far different message from this and live a radically different approach to life.

Transforming (phase 4) - Jesus appears to the disciples on the lakeshore (step 31) - session 2

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age." - Mt 28:16-20

St. Matthew records only two resurrection appearances of Jesus: the first to Mary and Mary; and this one to the disciples in Galilee, where he had told the women to have them go. Having spent the last few days in John's gospel, we might think, "How can they still have doubted after the appearances in Jerusalem?" But there are no such appearances in this gospel; in this case, some doubted because they are encountering the risen Lord for the first time.

This gospel, of course, concludes with the great commission. Sometimes I think we put a greater emphasis on advancing the American Dream.

Transforming (phase 4) - Jesus appears to the disciples on the lakeshore (step 31) - session 1f

Jn 21 (cont.)

Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to his breast at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?"

When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" 

Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" 

The saying spread abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?" 

This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. - (20-24)

It seems to me that this story would be important if, as most scholars hold, St. John's gospel didn't take it's final form - and especially if Chapter 21 were not added - until after his death. Even if he wrote it himself near the end of his life, it would be important for him to address any belief in the community that the Lord would return before his passing.

But the important part for us is probably in verse 22: why do we focus so much on the blessing which others receive? Why do we long for a miracle of our own, or for a certainty in our faith that others seem to possess? What is that to us? We are to follow Jesus in the role he has for us.

But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. - (20-25)

If Jesus is who we believe him to be, it is of course impossible for the world to contain all the books that would be written, in addition to containing itself, all of which he has done!

Transforming (phase 4) - Jesus appears to the disciples on the lakeshore (step 31) - session 1e

Jn 21 (cont.)

"Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go." (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, "Follow me." - (18-19)

Jesus now indicates to Peter the reason why it is so important that Peter know that he is acting out of love for the Lord, not out of mere obligation. Merely being connected to Jesus because of following him for these years and seeing his miracles - having a sense that this is someone that Peter desperately wants to be dedicated to, to the point of giving his all for Jesus - did not keep him from failing to fulfill his expressed willingness to lay down his own life for the Lord. Peter needs to be moved beyond affection and idealism and obligation to the unwavering north star of love. Any lesser motivation would cause him to ultimately shrink again in the face of the trials to come. And Jesus wants Peter to know that he is not the same man, driven by the same inadequate desires, but is now a true disciple motivated by love.

And now, when Jesus says "Follow me," there is no mistaking what that means. All of those things that he has said - there being no greater love than to lay down one's life for a friend; the extent to which he calls us to serve one another; sending the disciples as the Father had sent him - are now in the context of his crucifixion sacrifice and his resurrection from the dead. 

Will I follow?

Transforming (phase 4) - Jesus appears to the disciples on the lakeshore (step 31) - session 1d

Jn 21 (cont.)

This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. 

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."

A second time he said to him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." 

He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep . . . . " - (14-17)

I presume that this was Jesus third appearance to the gathered disciples. From the other gospels, there is also Emmaus, the appearance to Mary outside the tomb, and an appearance to Simon Peter, all of which would have happened before this appearance. 

I heard a priest once homilize that there is a different Greek word for "love" in Peter's replies than in Jesus' first two queries, and that the third time Jesus switches and uses the same word which Peter had used. This is consistent with a quick glance at the text in an interlinear Greek-English bible online, where it also appears that, the third time, Peter is quoted as using yet a different word in response. 

All of this ignores a key fact: this conversation almost certainly didn't happen in Greek. But since this story was handed down by St. John to his followers, who likely set it down in writing, we should probably accept that the Greek reflects a dynamic in the exchange which John conveyed to his listeners.

Others have focused on the threefold affirmation which Jesus affords Peter in contradiction of his previous threefold denial, but enough has been said about this.

For me, it is more helpful to consider this in light of the things upon which I've recently reflected. (I'm reading between the lines here, and hope you do, too:) Peter must feel that he has been demonstrating his love for Jesus in unmistakable, practical ways: jumping overboard and swimming to shore; hauling the huge catch of fish ashore by himself when Jesus told the disciples to bring him some. How could the Lord now shame him by repeatedly questioning his love? But perhaps Peter's actions were motivated by feeling as if he now owed the Lord a debt he could never repay; painful experience tells me this dedication is not nearly the same thing as love. If this was true for him, he'd be even more hurt by - and defensive about - the threefold interrogation he receives.

When someone has forgiven us the unforgivable, we may respond in a deep, thankful love that sustains our dedication to them for the remainder of our lives, but that dedication may instead arise out of a heavy obligation that eventually begins to feel like a chain binding us in slavery. We can feel as if we must now live up to, or retroactively "earn," the grace we have been freely given. Peter may have been acting out of this sort of motivation, but Jesus needed for him to be motivated by deep love instead of guilt. 

Though it may be true - as Jesus explains in defending the sinful woman who anoints him in Luke 7 - that those who are forgiven more love more, it can be very difficult for a forgiven offender to even think to consider whether they are now motivated by love or by a sense of shame-driven obligation. Perhaps Jesus' intent here is to give Peter an important chance to shift his motivations.

Transforming (phase 4) - Jesus appears to the disciples on the lakeshore (step 31) - session 1a

Jn 21

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, (1a)

The first question that came to my mind was, "Okay, where's the Sea of Tiberius?" A moment's quick research indicates that this is also referred to in the New Testament as the Lake of Gennesaret and the Sea of Galilee. I should not have reached this point in my life without knowing this. At any rate, this is about 60 miles from Jerusalem, and given that the disciples walked pretty much everywhere they went, this appearance would've had to occur at least a couple days after those mentioned in chapter 20. 

and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathan'a-el of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zeb'edee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat; but that night they caught nothing. - (1b-3)

We must be careful about combining the gospels, but this is a case in which reading from a combination of the gospels makes sense, since both Matthew's and Mark's accounts have the disciples instructed to return to Galilee. It isn't surprising that they would, anyway, being from there. But this should help keep us from reading too much significance into their resumption of fishing.  While it might indicate that they were returning to their old lives, it does not necessarily mean this. They may have just been engaging in a familiar activity as they attempted to make sense of what they had experienced. Also, I tend to assume that one of the other disciples not mentioned by name may have been Andrew - it would make sense for Simon Peter's brother to go with him.

Transforming (phase 4) - Jesus appears to the disciples on the road to Emmaus (step 30) - session 2

1 Peter 1:3-12

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. - (3-5)

I fail in different ways to live out the full implications of the second half of verse 3. Sometimes I try to be born anew by my own efforts, which invariably fall short. Then and at other times, I fail to let God make me anew by forsaking my former ways of being which Jesus has nailed to death on his cross, choosing to remain my old self rather than letting God keep making me into my new self. Since my relationship with my bride is so rooted in my brokenness, this includes various aspects of being in relationship with her, but in fairness to both of us, we are both a part of that problem. I think she would admit as much, even as we both continue to seek to grow together in new ways.

Well, I could take off on that tangent and fail to return to the good news here, so . . .

And that good news is found in verse 5: it isn't in my own power that I am guarded for my final and total salvation and sanctification, but by God's power. It is because of God's grace and mercy that the imperishable, undefiled, unfading inheritance awaits this mortal, sinful man, not because I deserve it but because Jesus has purchased it by his death and brought it to fruition by his resurrection and by his Spirit. Perhaps he keeps it in heaven for us because only then shall we be fully able to walk in it in eternal purity.

In this you rejoice - (6a) though surely not as consistently as I ought!

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Without having seen him you love him; though you do not now see him you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy. As the outcome of your faith you obtain the salvation of your souls. - (6-9)

Many times when I pray with others, it so often starts with a reminder of verses 3-7, though I haven't realized this. But God's mercy, grace and love far overcome the trials we may have to suffer, having our dross burned off so that God may be glorified by his work in and through our lives. As our attention is increasingly consumed by our circumstances, we lose sight of the greater victory that has already been secured for us. After allowing the Spirit to remind us of this, we then have the right perspective to ask God for the blessing we think we need in this specific situation and the humility to ask him to provide for what we really need - and help us accept it - if it's different from what we think. I think it's the latter part that brings us peace, when we know that we can trust God to do what is best for us.

The truth is, the trials we now suffer are as nothing compared to the eternal celebration that is ours.

The prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired about this salvation; they inquired what person or time was indicated by the Spirit of Christ within them when predicting the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glory.  It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things which have now been announced to you by those who preached the good news to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. - (10-12)

Likewise, as recipients of this grace and glory, we are likewise called to serve others as we walk together through our various trials, that we may all receive this inheritance, with both its eternal rejoicing and its present comfort.

Transforming (phase 4) - Jesus appears to the disciples on the road to Emmaus (step 30) - session 1e

Lk 24:13-36 (cont.)

Here's a final post on this passage before moving on to the additional ones listed for this step.

verse 17: what if Cleopas and his companion weren't sad only because of Jesus' crucifixion and death, but also because they didn't dare to place their hope in the tidings which they'd heard that very morning?

verse 19: they cannot bring themselves at this point to acknowledge Jesus as anything more than a mighty prophet. We do not know that they had ever proclaimed him to be more, as Peter did, so this is not necessarily a change from the previous week.

verse 21: although they clearly hoped he was more. But they probably, like most of their contemporaries, still had very different ideas concerning the nature and scope of Jesus' redemption, which would of course have been dashed by his death.

verse 33a: though they had completed their journey and the day was almost spent, yet they were so compelled that they had to go share the news at once. I am often too skeptical of my own story - or rather, of Jesus' story in my life - and so am not so urgently driven to share it.

Transforming (phase 4) - Jesus appears to the disciples on the road to Emmaus (step 30) - session 1d

Lk 24:13-36 (cont.)

Again, another thought or two to tack onto the end of yesterday's post.

but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. - (29)

Sometimes the circumstances of our lives present us with ample reason to let Jesus pass us by. On occasion, that happens even when those circumstances are the result of his intervention. Now, Jesus is always with us through the Holy Spirit, so it is even easier for us to fail to orient ourselves toward his presence, to fail to request to linger a while with him. When we make such choices, we are not robbed of the discussion and revelation we may have received along the way, but we do cheat ourselves of the deeper encounter that he desires (for our sake) to share with us. So for us, the plea is not so much "stay with us" as "our agenda beckons us; help us to stay with you."

When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. 
And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem- (30-33a)

Having share the scriptures with them, Jesus now breaks the bread. It is again the model for our Eucharistic celebrations to this day.

Why did he vanish out of their sight? I can think of several reasons. The first is that, now having had their eyes opened, they no longer needed to see him.  Secondly, perhaps they needed to process between themselves the full picture of the events of the day. This is part of why group scripture study is so powerful: when we allow the Holy Spirit to bring our individual experiences into a group discussion, we obtain a clearer picture of what the Lord may want all of us to understand. A third reason is that, had he remained, they would certainly not have been so quick to return and share the news.

Occasionally, we also get a burning experience of God's presence with us. I can think of a number of times I have felt so blessed. One such time is when we experience the liberating power of Jesus' death and resurrection setting us free from some bondage we have always known. This is why I love both the charismatic renewal and the Unbound deliverance ministry; both bring this power to bear in the lives of those who have been knotted up.

They found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"  Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. - (33b-36)

I'll have to look at the other gospels, but I believe that only Dr. Luke records Jesus' appearance to Simon apart from the other disciples. Don Francisco gives us a glimpse what that might have been like in He's Alive, although scriptures don't describe it; I believe, though, that Simon surely must have needed such a healing encounter with the risen Lord.

Sadly, too few of us recognize Jesus, either in his holy Eucharist or in his presence with those with whom we break bread every day.

Transforming (phase 4) - Jesus appears to the disciples on the road to Emmaus (step 30) - session 1c

Lk 24:13-36 (cont.)

A final thought from the end of yesterday's post, before moving on: sometimes he corrects us despite our foolish wishes.

And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 

Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?"  - (25-26)

They clearly did not understand this, but they also clearly did not truly understand that Jesus was the Christ. Surely they would not have seen the Messiah put to death! And they did not yet believe that he was risen. Oh, yeah, his tomb was empty, but that wasn't nearly the same thing. In fact, I wonder whether some of the disciples may have been wondering if others of the disciples were plotting to fake his resurrection, as "the Jews" feared they would do.

But even if they had thought prior to his crucifixion that Jesus was the Christ, his awful death must have obliterated that hope.

And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.  So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, - (27-28)

We begin to see the outline of our Mass take shape. First, the gathering together. Next the sharing of the Word. I wonder how long they were walking together? There are so many passages from the Hebrew scriptures which we now understand as being applicable to Jesus, and he touched on "all the scriptures." 

but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. - (29)

These words form part of the beginning of evening prayer. The interpretation of "evening" in those days may have included late afternoon.

When we invite Jesus in, he comes.

Transforming (phase 4) - Jesus appears to the disciples on the road to Emmaus (step 30) - session 1b

Lk 24:13-36 (cont.)

Well, my retreat site seems to be out of commission. Fortunately I know that I have a few days to soak in this passage before I need to move on.

While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. - (15)

I know I've covered this verse already, but there are important aspects of this that were not addressed in those first cursory thoughts. For instance, Jesus always meets us where we are; in the midst of whatever it is we are doing, Jesus is there. It was true for tax collectors and shamed women, for fishermen and even Pharisees willing to be open to him. It is true for us, as well: in our busyness, our brokenness, our labor, our leisure, Jesus meets us there.

He draws near, and goes with us. He is not a distant God watching us, as the song said, From a Distance. He is in the trenches or the highway with us, walking close by us. We do not have to call for help to someone who is far off; we can whisper, "Jesus, help me," in the ear of our most intimate companion along the way - more intimate even than a beloved spouse of decades of life together.

But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. - (16)

I've always assumed that it was Jesus himself who obscured their vision of him, but perhaps it was the very thing that interferes with our recognition that he is with us: we aren't looking for him, any more than they were.

And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad . . . . And they said to him, . . . "Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even 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 him they did not see." - (17-24)

They didn't have to add: we didn't really believe them in the first place, and the emptiness of the tomb did nothing to assuage our unbelief. We're pretty hopeless.

I suppose I always missed the part about how they stopped walking when he asked them what they were discussing. But there doesn't seem to be any debate between them about whether they should talk with him about what had happened; to the contrary, they figured that everyone who was in Jerusalem must know about it.

Some of those who were with us seems to contrast against Simon Peter who alone is mention in verse 12 (omitted from umich site).

What we know is that they had heard news of the resurrection, but were still sad, so clearly didn't really believe it. They had confirmation that something had taken place, for the tomb was empty. They seem to be disappointed that Jesus himself had not appeared to anyone.

I grow disappointed, sometimes, that Jesus has not transformed my life and my marriage into more than what they are.  Perhaps it is because, like these unnamed disciples, I am looking for the wrong signs and journeying along a road that will not take me where I should be going. But I believe Jesus meets us along the way anyway, and corrects our path.

Transforming (phase 4) - Jesus appears to the disciples on the road to Emmaus (step 30) - session 1a

Lk 24:13-36

There is so much to reflect on in this wonderful passage which forms the pattern for our liturgy!

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emma'us, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. - (13-14)

Not only did the disciples not believe Mary's story, but they so completely disbelieved her that they went about whatever errand caused them to leave Jerusalem. We are told nothing of their reason for traveling; therefore it is not an important detail. But clearly Jesus was still very much on their minds, as they were discussing the recent events along their way.

While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 
But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. - (15-16)

Yes, his resurrected appearance must have been very different from prior to his death.

Our eyes are often kept from recognizing Jesus in the many ways he comes to us, too. Sadly, they are too rarely opened for us to see him in the brother and sister whom he indwells.

Transforming (phase 4) - Jesus appears to the disciples on the road to Emmaus (step 30) - introduction

I'm glad they've given me an extra couple of scripture passages in addition to the one from St. Luke's gospel for this step. I'm also probably going to refer back to the allusion to this episode from St. Mark.  I want to take my time with details which Dr. Luke shares, and I have the luxury of doing so since I have only one additional step after this one before the Ascension.

But since I've just addressed the immediately following verses from Mark, let's go back to what came just before them, and use the appearance to the disciples as a bridge to the Emmaus story.

After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. - Mk 16:12-13

So that appears to be the Reader's Digest Extremely Condensed version of the Emmaus account.

It should likely be mentioned that some scholars hold that the original text of Mark's gospel ended at verse 8, with the angel announcing that he was risen, but no confirming appearances of our Lord to anyone. But in the "extended edition" which we have today, there are several, of which the verses above represent the second. What it shares with the first, his appearance to Mary Magdalene, is that the testimony of the witnesses is disbelieved by Jesus' other disciples. The "seeing is believing" mentality is not such a new thing, I guess, but we have the advantage of two millenia of folks who have believed; believing in Jesus' resurrection seems a normal thing to us, or at least an acceptable one.

This disbelief is the context for Jesus' words in verses 15 and 16: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."  It's as if He is telling them: I have appeared to you that you might not be condemned, because you have not believed without this evidence.

God seems to meet us where we need for him to.

Transforming (phase 4) - Jesus appears to his disciples behind closed doors – Divine Mercy Sunday (step 29) - session 3c

Luke 24:36-49
Mk 16:14-18 (cont.)

Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they sat at table; and he upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.
And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." - Mk 16:12-18

In St. Mark's version, as contrasted w/ St. Luke's this appearance doesn't happen while the disciples whom Jesus met on the road to Emmaus are basically still speaking. Rather, the other disciples have had a chance to not believe their testimony, so Jesus takes them to task for it. Here he commissions them to preach the gospel to the whole world.. The signs Jesus mentions are not intended to be tests which we are to seek out, but situations we might encounter.

This reminds me of an incident that happened one evening during Triduum, perhaps Holy Thursday. I am not quite certain of it, but I may have received a miracle. I was pressing my clothes for the evening and for Friday's services, and was rushing a bit. I was working on the tapered end of the ironing board, and had the iron turned away from myself. I had positioned my pants to press the pleated top, and inattentively reached for the iron when I felt something wrong. I looked down as I quickly withdrew my hand, and it looked like I had reached around the entire iron rather than grabbing the handle, and my finger appeared to have made contact with the base plate. But I was not burned in the slightest.

Again, I am not certain, but it seemed to me as if God had protected me from getting burned.

I'd like to be more certain, so that I could provide more assuring testimony to it.