Welcoming Jesus peregrinus Luke 24:13-35 ICEL April 30, 2017

Moments with Jesus on the way “I was a stranger and you invited me in” (Matthew 25:35 NIV) https://images.oca.org/icons/lg/greatlent/lazarus.jpg (accessed 31/03/2017)

Meeting up (13-17) Jesus listens, the disciples talk (18-24) Jesus talks, the disciples listen (25-28) Invitation and disclosure (29-35)

Meeting Up with the Stranger “Jesus himself came up and walked along with them” (15)

Jesus Listens, Disciples Talk “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” (18)

Jesus Talks, Disciples Listen “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe…” (25)

Invitation and Disclosure “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening…” (29)

What did it take for the disciples really to see who Jesus was? Meeting up with him was not enough. Knowing facts about his teachings and death was not enough. Knowing what biblical texts say about Messiah was not enough.

Only after welcoming him and hearing him bless the bread did they recognize him. As he had done at his last meal with them (22:19) As he had done when feeding over 5000 people (9:16)

What does it take for us really to see who Jesus is in our daily lives? Journeying with Jesus

Journeying with Jesus Being on the road with him, in his presence Eating at his table and experiencing his inclusive banquet In community: “Gather the folks, tell the stories, break the bread.” Being compassionate Being transformed in relationship with him (Marcus Borg, Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time)

“It associates suggestive details—the number of ‘stadia’ or the name of Cleopas—with more rigorous themes: eyes struck with blindness and the Scriptures with their open meaning, a physical and yet spiritual journey, hospitality from one and another, a presence which begins as an enigma and an absence shining with meaning which follows it, the transformation of disciples who arrive at Christian faith.” (François Bovon)