Fourth Week of Eastertide

April 29, 2012

Fourth Week of Eastertide
The Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35 “Were Our Hearts Not Burning?"

Two people were walking and talking about all the unbelievable things that had been happening lately in Jerusalem. They encountered Jesus on their walk, though they were "kept from recognizing him." When he opened up the scriptures to them, he spoke with such wisdom and authority that they wanted to hear more from this wonderful teacher.  They urged him to stay with them. How sad it would have been if they had gone a different way, failed to welcome this stranger, or dismissed his words. They would have missed the unforgettable moment when they recognized Jesus as he broke bread with them.

Do you sometimes discover that Jesus has been walking with you? Is there something that is keeping your eyes closed to his presence today?  Some places, some activities, may remind you so strongly of his presence that you feel a special warmth in your heart when

scripture is opened up in your weekly worship, when you prayerfully read God's word, when you break bread with friends, when you experience the love and support of special people, when you enjoy the beauty of nature. Remember that Jesus still walks with you on all your journeys.

Prayer of Thanksgiving...

Thank you, God, for all of the ways that you make yourself known to me.  Thank you for the blossoms of spring that remind me of the possibility of new life. Thank you for the people I meet on my path who make your presence known to me.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:6-18

© 2012 Jean Foley

Third Week of Eastertide

April 22, 2012
Third Week of Eastertide
Jesus and Thomas
John 20:19-29 “Do Not Doubt...Believe"

We don’t know why Thomas was not there the first time that Jesus stood among the disciples saying, "Peace be with you." Later they told him what had happened, and it was just too incredible. We have no reason to think that Thomas was a faithless person, less loyal to Jesus that the others. He just couldn’t believe the unbelievable. When Thomas encountered his risen Lord, seeing with his own eyes, hearing Jesus’ voice, touching the wounds, the incredible and unbelievable became a wondrous reality, and changed his life. It's difficult to believe what we can't see with our own eyes. During those times when we question, we can remember the story of Thomas, keeping our eyes open for signs of God around us. Our faithful friends may tell us that they have seen the Lord in their lives.  And we can feel the blessing of Jesus when we hold on to our faith and become one of “those who have not seen and yet come to believe.

” Prayer of Faith… I know, God, that through you all things are possible. Help me to remember this when my life is filled with doubt...when I am troubled by difficult moments and hard questions. And remind me that I have a community of faithful friends to turn to when I need to be reassured of your presence. May our knowledge of you shine ever more clearly within us, that we may perceive the breadth of your blessings, the extent of your promises, the height of your majesty, the depth of your judgments. St. Francis of Assisi, from his prayer inspired by the Lord's Prayer.

© 2012 Jean Foley

2nd Week of Eastertide

April 15, 2012
Second Week of Eastertide
Jesus Appears to Mary
John 20:11-18
"Why Are You Weeping?"

We know the entire Easter story, but Mary didn't know how the story
would end on that early morning when she went to Jesus' tomb. To her
amazement, the stone was rolled away...but even worse, Jesus' body was
gone! Of course Mary would be weeping! Jesus was probably the one
person she knew who loved her completely. And then, not only was
Jesus dead, but his body was missing.

But they weren’t mere humans who asked Mary why she was weeping.
They were "two angels in white" and Jesus himself who asked the
question. They obviously knew something she didn't! Finally, Jesus
spoke her name...then she knew who he was..."Rabboni"...her Great
Master and Teacher.

The refrain of an old favorite hymn describes this moment,
“And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.”

Prayer of Recognition...
Dear God, you know when I am hurting, and you know why I weep.
During times of pain, help me to remember that you are there with
me...that your love is the one thing that is constant in my life. Help me to
be open to your presence, so that like Mary, I can feel the joy of
proclaiming, "I have seen the Lord!"

“When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your
heart, I will let you find me,” says the Lord. Jeremiah 29:13-14

© 2012 Jean Foley.