“We were hoping that he would be the one…”

Today’s Gospel [Luke 24:13-35], the Wednesday after Easter, is that famous story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. I think many people like the story because these two disciples are so blown away by the drama that just took place in Jerusalem over the Passover feast days and they were trying to figure it out. Jesus, the Christ, the One who was supposed to be the Messiah of Israel, was crucified in an indignant and horrifying end.

“We were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel,” the two disciples told Jesus, as he questioned them along the road. They were hoping Jesus was the One that all of Israel looked to as the Deliverer, the God-hero who would free them from the conquering Romans. They were hoping, but they were looking in the wrong direction.

They added, “…Some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.” Continue reading →

Every Gospel of this Holy Week puts us at the table with Jesus, the night before he suffered.

At no other time in the church year does Eucharist reveal its meaning so clearly and compellingly. Each day, we gather with the disciples to celebrate with Jesus the Passover meal. With our backdrop a Hebrew meal of sacred remembrance already deeply rich in meaning and practice, we tell the story again.

Here Jesus sums up his life and gives to us a lifetime task of discipleship: the washing of one another’s feet, the breaking of ourselves as bread for others, and the dying to ourselves, in love, which proclaims his life-giving death, and invests the other actions with its ultimate meaning. Each of the three actions describes and enriches the other two – as we are fed, we are food, as we wash, we bring the waters of life, as we make memorial of Jesus’ death we offer our own imperfect pouring out in gratitude for God’s abundant mercies. Continue reading →

What’s the condition of your window?

Quick…go over to a window and look out. What do you see? Are flowers blooming? Raindrops pouring? Or is the window so small or dirty that you can’t see anything? Does your view open up your heart? If you’ve ever been in the Dominican Sisters of Peace Columbus Motherhouse, you know that the chapel has an entire wall of windows behind the altar. It can be wonderfully distracting and spiritual. Most times, the chapel is filled with bountiful light. In contrast, medieval cathedrals had slivers of windows and most of them were very high off the ground. The cathedrals were dark and dreary.

Recently, I was working with an adult student and we were discussing continents and countries. My learner had little knowledge of countries outside of the United States and North America. I realized how fortunate I have been to travel around the world experiencing the cultures and hospitality of many people while so many have a very narrow vision of the world. Continue reading →

The Law

The readings for Wednesday, March 22, ask us to reflect on the law. We know how hard it is to think about laws because we hate being told what to do, be honest. But in this present time in history, our understanding and appreciation for laws are being sorely tried.

We rant and rave about the laws and how unfair they are, etc, etc, and rightfully so. Man-made laws are unfair, every day in every way. God’s laws, not so much. Continue reading →