|
First
Reading
|
Psalm |
Epistle |
Gospel |
| Acts 2:14a, 36–41 |
Psalm 116:1–3, 10–12 |
1Peter 1:17–23 |
Luke 27:13–35 |
(This Sunday an "instructive Eucharist" was presented, hence the brief homily in place of the sermon.)
This past week people throughout the world were profoundly moved by the service for Pope John Paul II. While many of us were never under his authority or necessarily shared many of his views, nonetheless he exercised world leadership with unflinching integrity to his principles. He offered vision rather than spin. As a tireless global traveler he set before us all a standard of leadership that was always seeking greater understanding.
His final service was in the context of giving thanks for his life around the Lord's table. It is unlikely that such a gathering of the thousands who gathered in relative harmony, patience, and cooperation — young and old from many, many countries, rich and poor, famous and unknown, will ever be repeated in our lifetime.
Yet people of faith, who discovered the living Spirit of Christ among the crowds of myriad nations in Rome, will also be able to discover the Spirit of Christ present with them as they gather in table fellowship to give thanks again and again.
The road to Emmaus may lead to St. Peter's Square, but it also leads us here, Sunday after Sunday. The road may pass through the Commons, or ascend up West Hill. The mark of the Christian is to always be on a journey of some sort, leading to greater learning or deeper understanding.
How often we are kept from recognizing Christ working among us, because we want to stand still or go back. No one who goes back will ever find St. Peter's Square like it was. But everyone including ourselves may very well find our hearts burning within as we meet other pilgrims in our future journeys.
I suspect Pope John Paul would have loved the gathering last week, not for the tribute for him, but for the present witness and future promise the story of the Road to Emmaus has always held. Perhaps John Paul's service was the sign of his greatest accomplishment. It is so good that the Gospel lesson for today is the story of the Road to Emmaus.
And
I offer this to you in the name of the Living God, Amen.
