by Fr. Dmitri, New Zealand

The Road to Emmaus

Hristos Voskrese! Christ is Risen! Hristos Aneste! Hristos Inviat!

Saturday 9 May 2009 (1 Pachons;1 Bashans)

Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom. Let not the
mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man
glory in his riches.
(Jer.9:23)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help
in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the
earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried
into the midst of the sea.
(Psa.46:1-2)

You are the bush which Moses had seen, flaming with
fire and was not consumed.
(The Holy Psalmody)

In the act of repentance Gods love to mankind is poured,
and there is no measure to count or estimate God's love to mankind.
(John Chrysostom)

Do not honour virginity on its own merit, but for
its association to God.
(S.Augustine)

Let me love You more than myself, and let me not love myself
except for Your sake.
(Imitation of Christ)

A Blind Archer is useless; An argumentative disciple is a lost one.
(John Climacus)

When you look at your weaknesses, you will find
youselves trifles. Instead, evaluate yourselves
according to the price paid for you.
(S.Augustine)

Lord, abide with us as You did with the Apostles,
when You gave them Your peace. We ask You to
grant us Your peace and save our souls.
(The Agpia)

REFLECTION:

Those who possess riches outwardly must take care
not to possess them inwardly. That is, with desire.
They must eliminate everything earthly from their
desires.

Heavenly Father, keep our hearts from dwelling on
earthly riches. Help us to seek the True, spiritual
riches that You give us in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Catherine of Siena)

HOMILY:

THE ROAD TO EMMAUS.

And behold, two of them went the same day to a town which was sixty furlongs from Jerusalem, called Emmaus.
(Luke 24:13)

For our joy and consolation St.Luke gives us a very full account of how our risen Lord spent the afternoon of Pascha. We can only guess for what special personal reasons He chose to show Himself to these two disciples; but it shows how eager He is to begin teaching and explaining the tremendous events of Holy Week. "I, if I shall be lifted up, will draw all things to myself."( like Moses lifting up the Serpent in the wilderness and signifying His being lifted up on the Cross.)

The two set out early, they talked and reasoned with themselves, perplexed by a seeming contradiction: they had known Jesus and His Words, and had been sure He was the Christ the Son of God and yet He could not be, since God's people had rejected Him, and all the hopes had come to nothing with His death. Sound familiar?

Our Lord overtakes them - addresses them encouragingly - but their eyes are held, and yet they feel moved to great trust and free speech towards this stranger. He listens to their problem. Then at last He comes in with the word that like a vivid lightning flash reveals to them a whole new world of thought. " Ought not the Christ to have suffered?"

So, as they walk over the hills, He shows them how it is all part of God's plan, and all set out in the Scriptures when rightly read. He reminds them, no doubt, of the repeated unfaithfulness of Israel, the rejection of the Prophets, which culminated in the rejection of God's Own Son. Isaiah said that the Servant of God would become a 'Man of Sorrows.' Some take a pride in being ignorant of the Old Testament. We ignore it at our peril.

On arrival at Emmaus and the day being almost gone they persuade the stranger to eat with them.

So in the Breaking of Bread (maybe a Eucharist) He is made known to them. He held their eyes because He wanted them to love Him as an unknown wayfarer. If we love our neighbor, whom we see, God will show Himself to us and make our hearts burn within us with Love of God also.

To Thee be Glory and Praise, Now and Ever, Unto Ages of Ages.
AMEN!

Today's Readings:

Evening: Psalm 31:8; Gospel Matt.15:29-31.
Morning: Psalm 106:1-2; Gospel John 7:10-13.
Liturgy: Gal.3:5-11; 1 John 3:2-11; Acts 5:12-20;
Psalm 19:5-7; Gospel John 6:47-56.