The Lord has risen indeed

0:00

Traveller's Prayer

Keith Duke

Today is Wednesday the 8th of April, in the first week of Easter.

'In our journeying this day, keep us, Father, in your way.' Let me make this my prayer today; to know God’s closeness to me, here, right now, and never to lose sight of it. To let myself be loved, enlivened and guided by God.

2:30

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. You are probably familiar with the story chosen for today’s prayer. It’s the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. We will hear it only once, and then you’ll be invited to let it unfold again before your mind’s eye.

Luke 24:13-35

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.’ Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

6:52

Traveller's Prayer (Instrumental)

Keith Duke

The story starts with two disheartened disciples, leaving Jerusalem after the crucifixion, and together trying to make sense of the tragedy that has befallen them. Can you get a sense of what it’s like for them, as they trudge along this long road to Emmaus?

They’re joined by a stranger who seems to be a good listener. How are the disciples feeling as they pour out their shattered hopes and current fears?

The stranger makes sense of what they’ve been going through by putting it in the context of God’s work throughout the whole history of Israel. Later, the two disciples will say that their hearts burned within them as they listened to him. Why?

Once they reach Emmaus, they recognise Jesus when he shares a meal with them. It’s a meal clearly modelled on the eucharist. In your imagination, join them as Jesus blesses and breaks the bread.

The reaction of the disciples is immediately to hurry back to Jerusalem to share the good news of all that has happened. Speak to Jesus, as this prayer comes to an end, of what good news you can share of all that he has done in your life.

12:16

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen