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Walk to Emmaus
Orsi, Lelio, 1511-1587. Walk to Emmaus, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56879 [retrieved April 21, 2023]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lelio_Orsi_Camino_de_Ema%C3%BAs.jpg.
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Supper at Emmaus
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, 1606-1669. Supper at Emmaus, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54706 [retrieved April 21, 2023]. Original source: https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-85olyITKIEw/SPoiJ72rw8I/AAAAAAAAdeM/k92SPqLLo1E/s512/Christus%252520in%252520Emmaus%252520%25255B2%25255D%252520by%252520Rembrandt.jpg.
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Abundant Life
Luke presents us with an idealized moment in early Christian history….We can learn much about life in the Christian community during the best of times. Notice that the life of faith was the passion of all the people remembered here. Indeed, faith focused the life of these people with one another, so that they gave themselves to what they had in common, not what distinguished them from one another. In this context, the members of the community accomplished great things that, in turn, brought a sense of awe to the whole community.
Luke presents us with an idealized moment in early Christian history….We can learn much about life in the Christian community during the best of times. Notice that the life of faith was the passion of all the people remembered here. Indeed, faith focused the life of these people with one another, so that they gave themselves to what they had in common, not what distinguished them from one another. In this context, the members of the community accomplished great things that, in turn, brought a sense of awe to the whole community.
Marion Soards, Thomas Dozeman, and Kendall McCabe
Spiritual Practices: Questions Only
One way of studying and reflecting on Scripture is through the use of questions. Questions are good because they invite us deeper; they invite us to think, to wonder, to explore, and to experiment. The purpose of asking questions is not always to find answers. Instead, they open us up to new ways to experience the wonder and majesty of God. To learn more about using questions to explore and encounter God, click here.
As you read this passage, look for questions that may arise. Don’t look for quick answers. Instead, sit with and ponder the questions. Here are a few to get you started.
Starting Questions
One way of studying and reflecting on Scripture is through the use of questions. Questions are good because they invite us deeper; they invite us to think, to wonder, to explore, and to experiment. The purpose of asking questions is not always to find answers. Instead, they open us up to new ways to experience the wonder and majesty of God. To learn more about using questions to explore and encounter God, click here.
As you read this passage, look for questions that may arise. Don’t look for quick answers. Instead, sit with and ponder the questions. Here are a few to get you started.
Starting Questions
- Why is it that Jesus so often shows up when we are in conversations with others?
- Why do often not recognize when Jesus show up in these conversations?
- What if the disciples were kept from recognizing Jesus so that we would be reminded to always be on the lookout for him?
- Do we miss the point of Scripture if we don't have Jesus in the middle of our interpretations of it?
- How does hospitality reveal Jesus in our midst?
- Why did Jesus so often reveal himself around food after the resurrection?
- How does looking back on our experiences sometimes help us recognize things we hadn't before?
- What does this reveal about reflecting on our daily lives and looking for God-moments after the fact?
Spiritual Practices: The Examen Prayer
Overview
As the disciples head back to Jerusalem, they discuss their encounter with Jesus. As they talk about it, they recognize things that they hadn't before. They remembered how their hearts burned within them as they talked with Jesus. Sometimes we need to stop and reflect on our experiences to truly realize what God has been doing in our lives. That is what the Examen Prayer is about.
Practice
Praying the Examen is a five step process. These steps are my personal adaptation of the Examen Prayer.
David Dalton
Overview
As the disciples head back to Jerusalem, they discuss their encounter with Jesus. As they talk about it, they recognize things that they hadn't before. They remembered how their hearts burned within them as they talked with Jesus. Sometimes we need to stop and reflect on our experiences to truly realize what God has been doing in our lives. That is what the Examen Prayer is about.
Practice
Praying the Examen is a five step process. These steps are my personal adaptation of the Examen Prayer.
- Start by focusing on the presence of God. Settle into his presence and ask him to guide your time of prayer and reflection.
- Remember and reflect on what happened throughout your day that has just passed, both the good and the bad. Pay attention to your emotions and responses to the events of the day.
- Look for places where you can see God's grace and thank God for those moments and what he is doing in your life.
- Look for places where you made mistakes throughout the day and confess those to God and ask for forgiveness.
- Think about the day to come and ask God for his help and guidance through the day.
David Dalton