Dear Friends,

In the 1980's Dianne and I were on a mission trip to Mexico which was called "The Road to Emmaus." The program title, of course, came from the Easter story of two disciples being joined by a mysterious third as they walked out of Jerusalem into the setting sun of that first Easter day. The Stranger enjoined the two in conversation and questioned them about why they were so downcast. They explained their beloved teacher had died upon a Roman cross, but there were now rumors of His being seen again alive. The Stranger explained how the Scriptures state that the Messiah would die a criminal's death but on the third day be raised. As the party reached the village of Emmaus night was descending. The two followers of Jesus bid the Stranger to stay with them rather than go on as he seemed wont to do. The Stranger stays and the three take a place at table and bread was broken. It was at the breaking of the bread the disciples' eyes were open. They saw the Stranger was Jesus Himself. And then in the same instance He vanished.

There is a lot going on in this story from Luke 24. One lesson within it is that Christ is met in the combination of the proclamation of Scripture, the sacramental partaking of bread from Christ's hand, and in showing "kindness to strangers." The mission trip Dianne and I were on was called Road to Emmaus because there was an expectation we would experience Christ in persons "strange" to us, yet made kin to us to by the Word written and enacted.

One does not have to travel to distant places to have a Road to Emmaus experience. Jesus' presence can be palpable when we engage the Scriptures, enjoy the fellowship of the Lord's Supper and are active in ministries of hospitality, kindness and compassion.

Often times we will meet Jesus in the person of a stranger when we least expect it. But we can also expect to meet Jesus at church, in Bible study, at the ISOP dinners for the international students, or any of the other various and sundry ways we reach out to care for those in need from working in the Food Basket to tutoring kids after school.

Christ lives and often walks among us in the guise of a stranger. The two disciples on the way to Emmaus found that out on that first Easter two thousand years ago. And we can find it out also today. Remember the Biblical admonition from Hebrews 13: "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers because thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

May this Easter-tide bring you a flood of blessings and may you know Christ in Word and sacrament and in taking care for others.

Pastorally yours,

Frank

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