Weekly Liturgy : April 13-19
- John
- Apr 13
- 4 min read
John 24:13-35
The Message Translation
13-16 That same day two of them were walking to the village Emmaus, about seven miles out of Jerusalem. They were deep in conversation, going over all these things that had happened. In the middle of their talk and questions, Jesus came up and walked along with them. But they were not able to recognize who he was.
17-18 He asked, “What’s this you’re discussing so intently as you walk along?”
They just stood there, long-faced, like they had lost their best friend. Then one of them, his name was Cleopas, said, “Are you the only one in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard what’s happened during the last few days?”
19-24 He said, “What has happened?”
They said, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene. He was a man of God, a prophet, dynamic in work and word, blessed by both God and all the people. Then our high priests and leaders betrayed him, got him sentenced to death, and crucified him. And we had our hopes up that he was the One, the One about to deliver Israel. And it is now the third day since it happened. But now some of our women have completely confused us. Early this morning they were at the tomb and couldn’t find his body. They came back with the story that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. Some of our friends went off to the tomb to check and found it empty just as the women said, but they didn’t see Jesus.”
25-27 Then he said to them, “So thick-headed! So slow-hearted! Why can’t you simply believe all that the prophets said? Don’t you see that these things had to happen, that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter into his glory?” Then he started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to him.
28-31 They came to the edge of the village where they were headed. He acted as if he were going on but they pressed him: “Stay and have supper with us. It’s nearly evening; the day is done.” So he went in with them. And here is what happened: He sat down at the table with them. Taking the bread, he blessed and broke and gave it to them. At that moment, open-eyed, wide-eyed, they recognized him. And then he disappeared.
32 Back and forth they talked. “Didn’t we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?”
33-34 They didn’t waste a minute. They were up and on their way back to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and their friends gathered together, talking away: “It’s really happened! The Master has been raised up—Simon saw him!”
35 Then the two went over everything that happened on the road and how they recognized him when he broke the bread.
REFLECTION
from John
In this text, we get a story about Jesus telling a story. A story about how he had to suffer for the world to heal.
This is the same Jesus who, a few days prior, had been murdered by the religious and political establishment, and even betrayed by his best friends.
Jesus could have told a story about how he was a victim, how he was treated unfairly, and why he deserved the opportunity for revenge.
Instead, he tells a story that is free of resentment. Then he serves a meal.
May we who seek to follow the resurrected Christ so too be recognized by our lack of hostility and quickness toward hospitality.
PRACTICE:
Outward Mindset Application
In your next strategic conversation with your team, clarify expectations collaboratively. For example, before you end your meeting, agree on timelines and responsibilities, rather than just assuming.
Non-Violent Communication Question of the Week
Before you offer feedback to someone, ask for their permission. They may not be ready to receive it yet.
Pathway Toward Center
Sensation (experiencing God through our five senses):
The sun is out more and more these days, and temperatures are rising! Take 10 minutes to sit outside with your face turned toward the sun. Notice its light and its warmth. Allow both sensations to turn our thoughts toward the light and warmth of God’s love for you.
Questions for Reflection
What stories do you tell when you feel you’ve been wronged?
If Jesus were to be the one telling the story about your experiences and circumstances, how might the narrative change?
“Liturgy” refers to the habits and practices humans use to form community around shared values and meaning. At Church at the Park, we desire to be a community of practice, becoming people who see the world through the eyes of the marginalized, making meaning through the lens of pain and suffering, and committing ourselves to non-violence in a wounded world. This weekly email is intended to provide pathways of practice for becoming the type of people who embody these values.
Many of our reflections on each week's text come from other sources. If you're interested in reading more of what inspires us, here our our two favorite reflections.
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