Emmaus
This is the last (and the fourth) of my reflections on Easter. From the first one, called Safely home, about the darkness in the Church caused by erring leaders, and liberating awareness, to the second one, called Waiting for the geyser, about faith after pain,
to the third, called Taranaki Easter, about the glorious sunrise of the Resurrection, to this new one, called Emmaus.
After more than thousand years we are still walking with uncertainness.
How is the Church going to survive after so many accusations?
Even when we are told and believe that Jesus has risen, we wonder how we are going to manage to pass on that story. People are not waiting to hear it. The Church disappeared in so many areas. In other areas the Church is underground like during the first three hundred years. And then the church got involved and confused in so many political situations. Where do we find the truth? How do we recognize Jesus in this dark environment?
At the end of the day, year, or century we must retreat. Personally or communally we are compelled to look for signs, the signs of the time.
Which one might refer to the message of Jesus? Is Jesus present in the goodness of ordinary people? In the mist of history are our hearts burning with recognition? Fearing that we might lose Jesus we must cry out, “Oh Lord, take us home”.
In the breaking of our lives, in pain and confusion, in the brokenness
of the congregation, in the frailty of people’s homes, we see something of Jesus’ pain, his suffering on the cross, but also a hint of freedom, of liberty, of freedom from the anxiety, of peace and goodness, of joy.
In the breaking of the bread the disciples recognize Jesus. Cleopas and hid wife suddenly saw that it was Him who broke the bread at the last supper. It was Him who promised that after three days he would rise again and tell them to pass on this mystery.
So what did the two do? They ran back, even when it was still dark, and told the others what happened on the road to Emmaus. Jesus was there all the time.
Jesus is still here all the time, for me, for us, for the Church, the world! Tell all the sisters and brothers.
Happy Easter time. God Bless.
John Heijnen
