For Sunday, April
30, 2017, 3rd Sunday of Easter, Year A, Readings: Acts
2:14a, 36-41; Psalm 116:1-3, 10-17; 1 Peter 1:17-23, Luke 24:13-35
Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized everyone of you
in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit..." [Acts
2:38]
I love the LORD, because he has heard the voice of my
supplication, because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon
him...Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his servants...O LORD I
am your servant...I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call upon
the Name of the LORD. [Psalm
116: 1, 13, 14a, 15]
Now that you have purified your souls
by your obedience to the truth...You have been born anew...of imperishable seed,
through the living and enduring word of God.
[1 Peter 1:22a, 23]
[1 Peter 1:22a, 23]
They 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. [Luke 24:34-35]
"If only..." a frequent refrain for all of us who wish we had done things differently, or this or that had gone as planned, or the weather had changed. Mostly, though, I think most of us have yearned, even with some desperation at times, for that if only I could see, talk to, or touch her or him one more time. I can say from my own acute experiences that yes, much time does soften the punch and shock of loss, but then the memories become ever more important along with the hope and desire to believe that they are still present within us.
The Disciples had that one-more moment - never enough, to be sure - and they certainly made the most of it as here we are over two thousand years later still hearing their experiences with Jesus, still hearing the words He spoke, still knowing there are ways of living this life that we are called to by Him. Yet it seems too distant to us sometimes - other-worldly, a familiar story and then it's over until we hear it again.
Now is the time to hear the story of the Road to Emmaus again with the ears and heart of our own memory of loss. Feel their confusion, their shock, their sadness. Remember the words Jesus tells them, and the next time - and every time - you receive the Bread at a Eucharist, and, the next time you tear a piece of bread at a meal, know him in the breaking of the bread. More than a memory, Christ IS LIVING within us. All we need to do is call upon His name and travel the Best Road of this life, knowing Him, and the Way will be open.
The Disciples had that one-more moment - never enough, to be sure - and they certainly made the most of it as here we are over two thousand years later still hearing their experiences with Jesus, still hearing the words He spoke, still knowing there are ways of living this life that we are called to by Him. Yet it seems too distant to us sometimes - other-worldly, a familiar story and then it's over until we hear it again.
Now is the time to hear the story of the Road to Emmaus again with the ears and heart of our own memory of loss. Feel their confusion, their shock, their sadness. Remember the words Jesus tells them, and the next time - and every time - you receive the Bread at a Eucharist, and, the next time you tear a piece of bread at a meal, know him in the breaking of the bread. More than a memory, Christ IS LIVING within us. All we need to do is call upon His name and travel the Best Road of this life, knowing Him, and the Way will be open.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader:
~ Living Christ, how
often we blindly follow the way of the world without seeing that You are with
us in every step. Open our hearts to know Your Presence, open our eyes to see
Your Way to Life Eternal, and open our souls to accept Your gift of Salvation.
Jesus,
Blessed Son of God
RESPONSE: We call upon Your Name, O Lord
~ Living Christ, grant
us the determination, the voice, and the words to turn the hearts of those in
political power in our world, our country, and our community, toward Your
justice, peace, and mercy. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Jesus,
Blessed Son of God
We call upon Your Name, O Lord
~
Living Christ, please walk closely with all
who are lost in serious illness, emotional upheaval, and hopelessness, and with
those who give them care and healing. We now join our voices to pray
aloud for those in need…
Jesus,
Blessed Son of God
We call upon Your Name, O Lord
~ Living Christ, we
give You praise and thanksgiving, that all the faithful who have departed this
life, are now precious in Your sight, in the glory and splendor in Your
heavenly and eternal courts. We pray
especially for:
Jesus,
Blessed Son of God
We call upon Your Name, O Lord
~ Living Christ, we
pause in this moment to offer You our
other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud or silently…
Jesus,
Blessed Son of God
We call upon Your Name, O Lord
~ Living Christ, pour
Your special grace and energy upon the clergy anointed to lead us in Your
Church, that they and we together, may know You in the breaking of the sacred bread,
that nourishes our souls with fresh vitality, and strengthens our spiritual
quest. We pray especially for:
Jesus,
Blessed Son of God
We call upon Your Name, O Lord
The Celebrant adds: Lord Jesus, our constant Companion on the
Road, as we are born anew through Your Resurrection, excite us to dedicate ourselves
again, and incline our ears and eyes to You, that through Your living and enduring Word, our faith and hope will be
set on God, and our souls purified by obedience to Your Truth. We ask through
our Creator, our Sanctifier, and You, our Redeemer, who live and reign as One
God, always, forever, eternally. Amen.
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