O Let Us Swell the Joyful Strain, Alleluia!

In this weekend’s Gospel, Jesus appears to the two disciples from Emmaus. He shares the word of God with them and its importance. Following the crucifixion, like the apostles, many left and hid away from the city of Jerusalem for fear of persecution. Jesus, as the good shepherd, comes to gather the lost sheep in this gospel passage, just as he reaches out with open arms to those who have left the church for fear, anger, despair, and sadness. Christ later breaks bread with the two disciples and they recognize him finally. As they depart, Jesus tells them “"Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” This gospel story helps us to retell the story of Jesus in our lives and our world. Like the two disciples on the road, let us invite Jesus to stay with us.

 

 


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