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Dear Brethren,
Greetings in the precious name of Christ
Once again we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus. Resurrection of Jesus is the most important factor in our Christian Life. Jesus the only begotten Son of God came to earth. He suffered, died on the cross and was buried and third day He rose again. This is the base of Christianity. Therefore the Resurrection of Jesus empowered the Disciples to go for His mission.
In Luke 24:13- we can see the Emmaus experience.
Two of Jesus' followers, disillusioned left for home and began the seven-mile walk to Emmaus and they were talking and discussing. They did not believe Jesus had risen from the dead. They hoped Jesus would bring Israel the same power and prosperity once enjoyed, only magnified and multiplied. But their hopes for glory seemed to have been utterly destroyed and also they failed to acknowledge the resurrection. If these two followers believed that Jesus had risen from the dead, they would have been walking toward Jerusalem to see the risen Lord, not away. They would have seen the trials, crucifixion, and burial of Jesus as the fulfillment of all He promised, not as the end of their hopes. As a result, they failed to see God's sovereign plan. They had confused their own expectations with the hope God was offering, and they had failed to see God's ultimate purpose. To help the two followers see, Jesus reviewed the entire history of Israel from the time of the Exodus to His own resurrection, highlighting God's plan for the Messiah (24:27). The two followers then invited the "stranger" to stay the night. Jesus accepted their offer. According to 24:16, their eyes were prevented from recognizing Jesus. He revealed His identity only after taking great pains to explain to them "the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures" (24:27). Once their eyes were opened to the reality and implications of the resurrection, Jesus became visible to their physical eye. Then their new, resurrected hope carried them back to Jerusalem to bear the good news to others. As Luke tells the story of the two hopeless disciples on the road to Emmaus, we can identify with them. We, too, are pilgrims on a journey through life. We too have to experience these types of trials in our life. But remember, every trial is an opportunity to discover what God wants us to see. As in the case of the two followers on the road to Emmaus, we must allow God to open our eyes.
Where did the Lord wish to be recognized? In the breaking of bread. If you are a believer, if you listen to the Word of God in fear and hope, you may take comfort in the breaking of bread. The Lord's absence is not an absence. Have faith, and the one you cannot see is with you. Those two, even when the Lord was talking to them, did not have faith, because they didn't believe he had risen. Nor did they have any hope that he could rise again. They had lost faith, lost hope. They were walking along, dead, with Christ alive. They were walking along, dead, with life itself. Life was walking along with them, but in their hearts life had not yet been restored.
Our Lord is revealed and recognized by the faithful believers in the Breaking of the Bread and the Sharing of the Cup in Holy Eucharist. The Lord offers us the opportunity to show us that He is here for us. That is why it is important that we gather together Sunday after Sunday to worship the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, with our fellow believers. We can resolve as we call to remembrance the surprise realization of the Risen Lord by the Emmaus travelers, at the Breaking of the Bread, to be there each time at the Breaking of the Bread on the Lord's Day. His presence and power will renew us to continue to live our lives in His strength .
As we struggle to find meaning and relevance to our individual, family and Church life, the assurance of his promised presence at the Eucharist will strengthen us in our resolve to love and serve him through serving each other and the world around us. Like the two on the road to Emmaus, you do not travel alone. God is with you. Let us experience the risen Lord. Let us recognize His presence. Let us acknowledge as our Lord. May God Bless you all
With love and prayers
Binu Achen
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