Sunday Worship 23rd April

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to our Sunday Worship on the Third Sunday of Easter. Our Church services today are at the usual times of 9.15 am at St Agnes' and 11 am at St Thomas'. If you are unable to be iwth us in person, you can find today's Gospel reading, a reflection and prayers below.

Our first hymn this morning is "Hallelujah (Easter Version)"

Today's Gospel

Luke 24: 13-35                                 The Road to Emmaus

Now on that same day two of Jesus' disciples 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.

Reflection

A short reflection this week based a thought that was going around in my head when I read the text for today.

When I was a young child, (about 5 years old), I always used to look forward to my grandmother visiting. She lived a couple of hundred miles away and was from an age when women didn’t drive. This meant that she only came to visit us once a year, usually at Christmas. It was always really special when she stayed with us and my brother and I were always really excited. We were of course spoiled to bits by her, not least because it was Christmastime and because we saw her so infrequently. 

As things do when you’re enjoying yourself, time flies and it always seemed that she had no sooner arrived that it was time for her leave. It seemed so sad to stand on the local station platform to wave her off on the train, often had a tear in her eye. 

One year as she arrived, the first thing my brother asked was, “When are you going back?” Her surprised response was, “why, don’t you want me here?” She was of course teasing us, as she of course knew all along, that we were thrilled to see her. The question had been asked as we wanted to know how much time we had to spend with her. We also knew, even when we said our goodbyes, that we would also see her again. 

For the disciples on the road they were lamenting the loss of Jesus. They also had a terrible sense of loss until Jesus opened their eyes and interpreted the scriptures for them. Then He suddenly vanished, but far from being despondent again they were overjoyed, because they understood that Jesus is the risen Lord and His presence would always be with them, just as he had been physically with them on the road. Unlike a sad child, knowing he had to wait until next Christmas to see his grandmother, we have the comfort and certainty that Jesus is always by our side, walking at our pace even when we aren’t aware of His loving presence.    Paul

Our Prayers

Holy God, we pray that our hearts will burn with the knowledge of your grace and love, and the awareness of our Lord Jesus Christ who remains with us.  

Open our eyes, and help us to recognize you in all places and in all people, for the sake of the one whose presence is never far away, Jesus Christ.

Amen

Today's final hymn is "Lord, the Light of Your Love is Shining (Shine, Jesus, Shine)"