November 16, 2009

Bob’s Sabbatical

November 16, 2009 – The Way of Resurrection

 

            The town of Emmaus no longer exists.  There are four places that have been identified as possibilities, based on different readings of Luke 24:13 ff. and the distance from Jerusalem (some texts have 60 stadia (7.5 miles) and others read 160 stadia (19 miles).  A few years ago part of an ancient Roman road were found when a pipe-line was being installed.  It is within the range of 60 stadia.  There is no town, but it is a road that went somewhere.

            Before we leave the college to walk the “road” we are reminded by Andrew that the story in Luke is very specific, and talks about both Jesus’ presence with the two disciples, but also about his absence.  The absence is important, as is his absence from the tomb.  It means we cannot limit Jesus to a place and time, nor to our expectations.

            For the past two weeks we have been on a journey of the past, and have considered many different aspects or roles that Jesus played (plays) in our lives.  No one description fits for all places and all times.  Now we head back home, to a journey of the future.  As we return, we will indeed find Jesus in our Galilee, our places of mission.  We will never capture or keep him, but we will glimpse him in the people and places we serve.

            We head to Moza (Motsa?) to walk a bit of ancient Roman Road, as did the two disciples.  The road is rough and overgrown.  Occasionally we see the pavement stones, but otherwise it is just a path.  Andrew has told us that this is something of a parable of life.  We are going to need to help one another on the path.  As we walk, Andrew asks us to think about what questions we might have for Jesus at this point in our pilgrimage, and what questions Jesus has for us?

            When we got to the piece of road, we walked in silence.  As we went on the sometimes loose rocks, it occurred to me that helping others can be risky.  The helper often has to stand on less “safe” ground in order to help others get to safe places.  Perhaps that is part of ministry (ordained or lay), to be willing to stand on less safe ground as we help others on the path of life, and especially on the path to Jesus Christ.

            After our walk, we went to Abu Ghosh, another place that has been identified as possibly the location of Emmaus.  We went to a Church on a hilltop, Arc d’Alliance (Ark of the Covenant) for an outdoor Eucharist together.  When the Israelites placed “God” in the Ark of the Covenant and carried it with them, this area is said to be one of the places they stayed for a time.  The following is the collect we used for our drive, and for the Eucharist:

O God, whose greeting we miss

And whose departure we delay,

Make our hearts burn with insight

On our ordinary roads

That as we grasp you in the broken bread,

We may also let you go,

And return to speak your word of life

Through Jesus Christ. Amen.

                                                (Janet Morley)

            The Church was very plain inside, but had lovely ceilings.  The statue atop the Church of Mary holding the child Jesus struck me.  If you look closely, you see the child has a communion host in his outstretched hand.  The words of the collect echoed as we took communion together for the last time as this particular pilgrim group, “that as we grasp you in the broken bread, we may also let you go.”  It is about time for me to let go of the sabbatical, and to come home where we can be about finding the Christ in one another and all those we seek to serve through St. Paul’s.

    Peace,

        Bob

 

 

 

 

           

Comments

[Jock Cowperthwaute]

Bob: "A Journey of Faith and Family" is one of the most extraordinay documents I have read. You Sir, have allowed me to assemble a most challenging history lesson. I am sharing this compilation with my family so that, over time, we can all be not only more knowledgeable Christians but also individuals who understand and, therefore, sympathize and demonstrate patience toward those who are needy.
You have my admiration and appreciation for having completed your journey and having shared it with us in such a descriptive and concise manner.
Your homecoming meets me with mixed emotion. Were it possible to keep you "Over There" as our reporter, our historian, our teacher.......Jock