Life Stories

SUN., AUG. 21, 1994, 5:40 AM
FARM, STUDY

Naturally I want you to be thinking about the next Ruminations, the theme of which will be some of the stories of life. As I indicated earlier, the source material should be Teachings since the first Letter on stories, and should be some balanced combination of Biblical and non-Biblical stories and comments thereon. You have been thinking in such ways. Now you know, for sure.

One good way to look at earth life is in terms of stories. Each person’s life is a story, and each of these lives is a series of stories, tied together with routine, repetitive circumstances. Some stories of life are exciting and full of adventure. At the other extreme are dull and routine stories, with little excitement… or those with much pain and suffering and excessive negative experiences.

Your life has been in the middle ground, edging definitely toward the positive, exciting pole. By societal standards your life has not been chock full of excitement and change, but you can think back on many events and circumstances that were definitely not routine and dull. Again, in relative terms your life story, thus far, is above average but not outstanding. Doesn’t that seem to be a fair evaluation?

This morning your contribution to the worship service will be the children’s version of the Walk to Emmaus story. Read it again and practice telling it at least once, including the prayer. If your “props” will cooperate the story will be better, but, otherwise, just tell it with verve.

The Walk to Emmaus story is certainly an exciting one in the lives of Cleopus and… Joe. They had heard about the crucifixion, perhaps even had been there, but the latest happening was that on this third day, Sunday morning, Jesus’ body was gone from the cave in which he had been “buried.” So these two followers were walking to Emmaus talking about all of these happenings, when they were joined by a “stranger,” whom they didn’t recognize. They told him the crucifixion and “resurrection” story, and then he told them of how the Scriptures… the writings of the prophets… had told why this was necessary.

They came to the village and the two urged the “stranger” to sup with them. During the meal he took bread, blessed it and broke it, and… suddenly… they saw Him as Jesus, the Risen Lord. But, strangely, He then disappeared, but they were so sure of whom they had seen that they walked back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples. And, of course, I then appeared to them there.

The point of the story is that I, as Jesus or as the Holy Spirit, can be with you and guiding you in many of life situations, and you just don’t recognize Me. But the sacrament of blessing and breaking bread can be a means of recognizing Me and My actions in your daily life. You just have to be aware, and the Eucharist experience can be a help.

You are an above average story teller, so just tell it in as natural and as exciting a way as you can. It is a small but important part of the story of My appearances and disappearances after My resurrection and before My bodily ascension. For remember, for some I am here in your midst and have been since the ascension, but mostly not in bodily form.