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Lectionary
EASTER 2: 6 – 12 APRIL, 2008
THEME: ‘STAY WITH US; THE
DAY IS ALMOST OVER AND IT IS GETTING DARK.’
READING: Luke 24: 28 – 35
These two men from
Jerusalem were probably going back home. They had been Jesus’
disciples; not part of the twelve but those who were following
him occasionally, without having abandoned their homes or
their jobs.
For them, going back to their homes was final.
They would no longer have to follow Jesus, since he was dead.
They were deeply saddened and discouraged. They had a good
dream that disaster had put an end to. They no longer hoped
that Jesus could be “the Liberator of Israel”. He was now part
of the past. They would have fond memories of him, indeed, but
his final failure would give their memory of him a sad and
indelible touch (cf. 1Cor. 15:19).
And yet, here is an
unknown person who comes to them. With the simplicity of those
days, he spoke to them and asked them questions about the
topic of their discussion. How could they for one brief moment
imagine that he was the one who lay in the tomb two days
earlier? He was the one for sure, but “something about him had
changed” (Mk. 16:12). Mary Magdalene also made the same
mistake and took him for a farmer (Jn. 20:15). Beyond the
tomb, he remains the patient and knowing master who waits to
be known fully when people have faith in their hearts. “Are
you the only one who does not know?” these men asked, and they
said this to he who alone knew what his passion was like! They
told him about the women who found the tomb empty, but they
added that this was only hearsay that should not be taken
seriously.
The master used the lack of knowledge and
disbelief of his disciples. He gave them the key to Scripture.
He took away the veil covering the profound truth of the Old
Testament from those who did not discern Jesus Christ (2Cor.
3:14). When they heard him, the hearts of these men burned
with a new flame; the mortal cold of doubt was already
beginning to be removed. But they were not a hundred percent
certain. Conviction began to rise in them, but they did not
yet recognize him. They immediately asked their companion not
to go away; “Stay with us, it is late and darkness is at
hand,” they insisted.
It was during the meal that
their eyes were opened and they recognized him. The words that
they had heard many times before, the gestures that they had
seen many times before revealed to them through a sudden
illumination that that was not a stranger who was before them,
but their Lord himself, the one who gives the bread of life.
But already, he was gone! The resurrected one appeared
and disappeared. Then, the two men went back to where they
came from during the day. But how different that trip was this
time! They walked without any joy, through their human tasks
that had no sparkle in them; now, they went back to their
brothers in faith, to share with them their joy, to consult
with them on what to do next since Jesus is alive.
When we
encounter Christ's presence in Africa, we are empowered to
face the challenges that confront us in the continent.
Submitted by Rev. Dr. Celestin Kiki
PRAYER
Faithful God, the strength of all who
believe and the hope of those who doubt; may we, who have not
seen, have faith and receive the fullness of the blessing of
Christ, who is alive and reigns with you in the power of the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Exodus 15; 1 ‐11; Isaiah 25:
6 – 9; Revelation 19: 6 – 9; Psalm 143; 1 ‐11; Psalm 16; John
20: 24 – 31
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