During these first few weeks after Easter, we reflect on Jesus’ Resurrection appearances to his disciples and on stories from Acts as the apostles begin spreading the Good News of the Gospel. We are privileged to “tag along” with the disciples as their lives are profoundly changed and they develop a whole new sense of who Jesus is, who they are and what their lives are to be about.

Consider the story of Cleopas and his companion as they journey along the road to Emmaus the evening of the Resurrection. They do not yet know that Jesus is alive and are mourning his death when a stranger joins them on the road. They are so consumed by their grief and anxiety, and their sense of hopelessness now that their dream for the Messiah is gone, that they do not recognize the stranger as Jesus. Not until they invite Jesus to stay with them that evening, and he blesses and breaks bread with them, do they recognize their Lord. Then they suddenly realize that Jesus has been with them the whole time, and that that’s why their hearts have been burning within them (Luke 24:13-35).

We are all on that road to Emmaus, hopefully growing in our knowledge and experience of God throughout our lives, but not always recognizing Jesus’ presence among us. It’s especially difficult to see or believe in the presence of our loving Lord and trust in his goodness and power in our lives when we are filled with anxiety, fear, confusion or hopelessness. Right now, dealing with the all the complicated consequences of the coronavirus in the world is the perfect setting for throwing up our hands and thinking all is lost, that Jesus is gone.

Just as those first disciples had to let go of their old expectations of who the Messiah was and what he looked like in their midst, we, too, have to let go of some of our old expectations and be willing embrace new understandings of how Jesus is present in us and in our world. We have to be willing to be radically changed and made into new people as the full realization of Jesus’ presence sinks into our hearts and minds.

Where do we see the love, compassion and wisdom of Christ in our world today? How about in actions of all the first responders and caregivers on the frontlines of patient care, courageously working to comfort and heal those who are sick, or in those working to find treatments and prevention measures for this new virus? How about in the countless acts of kindness and support people are showing one another during this difficult time? Perhaps even in the thousands and thousands of entertaining memes, notes and videos on the internet that are helping us all get through our “social distancing” practices with a little more grace and humor?

This Emmaus story assures us that Jesus travels with his followers wherever we are, especially when we are worried, scared, suffering or confused. We need to be watchful for his presence – and willing to see him in the strangers on the road, in the ordinary people in our lives and even in ourselves. And when we see him, our job is to greet him, welcome him, and invite him to stay with us.

Although our public worship services are currently suspended to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, we continue to hold one another up in prayer and pray especially for those whose lives are directly impacted by this illness. May we all know God’s abiding presence with us and be filled with his wisdom, his courage and his love. For links to online Episcopal worship please visit our Facebook page, @TrinityEpiscopalChurchEufaulaOklahoma, or the Diocesan website, epiok. org. We hope to resume in-person worship soon! 918-689-2369.