Thinking about the Earth, Creation Care, and God's Abundance

If the first disciples had questions, why can't we?

In the gospel of Luke, the two who went walking that first Easter day left their friends in the upper room and headed for home – the town of Emmaus – 2 or 3 hours away. It was earlier that morning that the news had come that wild, incredible story of Jesus alive, seen in the garden. The disciples and followers of Jesus were bewildered, full of confusing emotions – loss, hope, disillusionment, wonder, fear. What were they to think? What were they to do? So two of them left town - they pulled away - maybe they didn’t know what else to do. What happens after Easter? After death on a cross and a tomb found empty. Jesus, risen from the dead? What were they to believe? What are we to believe? How are we to live? As evening fell, and they approached their home in Emmaus, they invited this stranger in to break bread with them. And as he gave thanks, they recognized the living Christ! He had been with them all along! Do you remember a few years back (quite a few years back!), there was a song that was popular for a while… It asked, “What if God was One of Us?” Would we know him if we met him on a street corner or in the grocery store? Would we know him dressed in blue jeans… would we listen to his words? Too often, we, like the people of Jerusalem, like people throughout history, have our own ideas and expectations of what a Messiah should be of what God should do and we misunderstand or miss completely the wonders of God acting faithfully in our lives. The psalmist says, “God is faithful! Our help in times of trouble.” And still we doubt our feelings of confusion and abandonment, like the two who went walking, are real. Even so, I believe Jesus comes to us and walks by our side. But perhaps we haven’t noticed, we didn’t see it. How do we recognize this living Christ in our midst? Roger and I have been participating in the Tuesday morning meditation book group here at church. The author of the book we’re reading, THE WISDOM JESUS by Cynthia Bourgeault, titles her first chapter: Jesus as Recognition Event. I thought, what a weird title calling Jesus an event a recognition event. It’s pretty dense reading, but after a few times through, it began to sink in. Our recognition of Jesus alive is like an epiphany. In the moment, or on our reflection about a moment’s encounter, we may realize we have been met by the living Christ! I’d like to share with you a story of an encounter with Jesus in my life. For one year, I trained as a chaplain intern at a hospital in New Bedford, MA. On my first day, I was nervous. I parked in the staff parking lot and entered the building by a door that was totally new to me. I knew the chaplain’s office was on the 6 th floor. I found an elevator and once the door had closed, I realized it only went to the 5 th floor, but at least it was going up! I got off on the 5 th floor and wandered through the hallways, looking for another elevator. I couldn’t find one, and I was feeling hopelessly lost, panicky, late. How would I ever be able to do this work if I was so stupid that I couldn’t even get to the 6 th floor! I was feeling so many negative emotions. I started to doubt that I would know what to say to patients, doubted that this was what God wanted for me. I was feeling very near to tears… to running back out to my car. Around a corner came an elderly gentleman – very agitated. We nearly collided! He said, “Can you help me find my way?” For a moment, I just stood there. He said, “I’m trying to find my wife… in oncology.” Without thinking, I said, “I don’t know where oncology is, but maybe together we can find it.” My fears vanished as I responded to this man. I felt completely different… forgetting my own troubles. Together, we DID find his wife, and I finally found the 6th floor, but as I walked into the chaplain’s office, somehow, I knew in my heart that this had been a holy encounter… a gift from God. I had met Jesus along the way…and I was changed. Jesus may come to us in the stranger… in the chance meeting that changes us. Do we have the eyes to see him? Or are we too busy getting to where we are going… too filled with our own questions, dilemmas, and needs to even notice? Would we recognize Jesus in the stranger, the chance encounter, the “other” who joins us for a time seeking our company? We don’t really expect to meet the risen Savior—would we know him if we did? He may also come to us in the Listener. This one who walked with the two on the road listened compassionately to their deepest feelings - helping them name their fears and sorrows, helping them discover their questions and truths. This is what Jesus does for us when we pray… he listens. Or when a friend or counselor listens deeply… as they listen to our hearts. Do we recognize this as the face of God? Do we choose to see with the eyes of faith? At a time in my life when I was faced with a most difficult decision, I remember standing at my window praying fiercely for an answer when I felt - more than heard - these words: “Whatever you choose, you are loved. Live your choice with love…” I hadn’t even been raised in the church, but I knew in my heart that I had been met in my time of need… by Jesus. A holy encounter! It was an epiphany… a recognition event…a holy moment. Thinking back, have there been times like this for you? Jesus may also come to us in a Teacher. Just as He opened the scriptures to the two on the road so, their hearts burned within them, and their faith was renewed. Who has been such a teacher for you? Wise and patient, or passionate and challenging… As we go through our lives, we have many teachers… parents, grandparents… family and friends… teachers at school, in church… coaches in sports, nurturers in the arts… We have teachers in life who surprise us with lessons that shape us… that change us. Maybe they’re strangers, maybe they’re friends… Can you see in them the face of Jesus? Can you hear his voice in their words? How we view these things is a choice. Do you choose to know this by faith? And finally, Jesus may come to us in those who seek shelter and food, a friendly gesture, hospitality. The two from Emmaus invited him in, and as they break bread together, they know. They recognize by faith the living Christ; they know the peace of Christ in their hearts…  All their doubts leave them. Isn’t this the message of Jesus’ ministry – to welcome others, even the stranger… and to love with a generosity full of God’s grace? Look for the risen Christ. He lives among us… in the face of a stranger, in the listening ear, in an honest prayer, in the wisdom of a teacher, in the hospitality of life openly shared. Look for the risen Christ. With the eyes of faith, you will see… He is among us! Amen!

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