Recognizing Resurrection – Today is Easter Sunday.  Traditionally, the scripture for Easter Sunday is the story of the empty tomb, but our scripture chosen for today is the familiar story in Luke’s gospel of the two men walking to Emmaus and, unknowingly, being joined by the risen Jesus as they walked.  One of the reasons to have this story on Easter is that our Lenten theme has been Table Transformations, and this story concerns yet another table, this one hosted by the risen Christ.  The two disciples in the story are unknowns to us and not among the twelve, and, having witnessed the crucifixion, they are walking away, paralyzed by their grief.  Are we in situations paralyzed by grief and loss?  They call him a prophet, but now they have doubts that he was the expected messiah.  Their hopes have been dashed.  Maybe we, too, have lost hope, and, if so, we are on the road to Emmaus, and, whether we recognize it or not, we are accompanied by Christ.  In the story, when they sit down for a meal, the guest becomes the host, lifts the bread, breaks it, and in that act they recognize that this is the risen Christ.  Our communion services repeat that – a table with everyone having a seat, and the risen Christ is the host.  Let us go forth with our tables open to all, knowing that the risen Christ is our host. 

(NOTE:  Emphasizing the importance of the Word, the videos begin with the scripture reading, but if you want, you can scroll back to the beginning of the service in each video – the entire service is available.)