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Were not our hearts burning within us? The gospel today brings us that familiar story from Luke of the two disciples on the road trying to make sense of a dizzying series of events, when they are joined by a traveling companion who turns out to be the risen Christ. At first it seems this “stranger” is the one out of touch: “Haven't you been watching the news? Do you not know who are leaders are and what they’re up to? ... And where’s your mask?” How quickly things turn around! We look for Jesus where he isn’t, and it turns out he’s right in front of us, leading us back to what saves us. “Were not our hearts burning within us?” What is it that makes for life? What is worth dying for, or better, living for? These are the questions we are confronted with today in worship and in these days of pandemic. Personal testimony, the scriptures, the breaking of the bread—what do you need to pull you back to the center and fullness of life? How about our corporate life? What do we need to be saved? Set your space for worship and then enter in. What elements do you find essential today? Surely your daily bread, wine or juice, a community, something beautiful. The elements of survival. What we need to thrive.  Road to Emmaus—Carolingian, 9th c., Cloisters Museum, New York
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If it helps you, set your space for worship. What elements do you find essential, evocative for this particular Sunday? Take yourself seriously. Give yourself and your spirit space to engage and encounter what is surely a mystery, and one that knows healing and new life.
This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Our Lord is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Prelude “Ode to Joy”
On the third day Abraham offered his firstborn son, God came down in fire and wind upon Sinai, the boy Jesus was found “in his Father’s house,” and the man Jesus “performed the first of his signs at Cana of Galilee.” Echoing the words of Hosea, Jesus announced the three-day Passover of his death, rest and resurrection.
The Paschal Triduum, or as we know it in English, the “Three Days of Passover” are for us too days of death, rest and resurrection. Even if only remotely, we march to the waters of baptism. We keep watch for light and for liberation in our own lives. For three days we climb Mount Moriah, Mount Sinai, Mount Golgotha. Those who were lost are found, and those who were exiled come home.
  Our three days service begins tonight. On Maundy Thursday, we recall the meal in the upper room, and our new commandment to love each other as we have been loved. We practice service tonight -- to God, to each other, and to the world. We wash feet and hands, we meet at the table and share a meal, we sing, and we pray. And when we leave, we take the elements and the ornaments, stripping the church bare to await the glory of Easter.
We invite you to have a bowl of water, a towel, a cup of wine or juice, bread, and a lit candle as we begin.
If you would like to share a particular joy or concern, please do so here. These will be shared by email to our St Andrew prayer list so that we pray for what you hold by name. This information is not shared online in a searchable form.
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December 2024
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