Bright Tuesday
CHRIST IS RISEN!
Tuesday, May 3, 2005
1st Vigil Pascha: Isaiah 60:1-16 Apostle: Acts 2: 14-21 Gospel: St. Luke 24:13-35
St. Luke 24:12-35, especially vss. 30, 31: "...as He sat at table with them...He took bread,
blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him...." The Church knows the
risen Lord above all when she gathers, takes bread, blesses God, breaks the bread, and partakes of the Holy Gifts. We
manifest the Church when we fulfill these simple actions, which is why we declare "Christ is among us!" and reply "He is
and ever shall be!" Today's Gospel amply reveals the relationship between the Divine Liturgy and Christ's presence, for in
the meal which the risen Lord shared with Cleopas and Luke at Emmaus, we encounter the nascent Divine Liturgy: two
were gathered, and the One joined them, fulfilling the Lord Jesus' words that, "...where two or three are gathered together
in My Name, there Am I in the midst of them" (Mt. 18:20). Hence, the Resurrection, the first day of the week, and the
Holy Liturgy inseparably foreshadow the glorified Church, gathered on the Eternal Eighth Day with her Lord, in the
timeless assembly called the "supper of the Lamb" (Rev. 19:9).
The Divine Liturgy is offered as the Church journeys through time, even when a gathering of God's People consist of only
two disciples, as with Cleopas and Luke. To the end of the present age, whenever there are gatherings of the Church, and
wherever they are held, Christ is among us. The Evangelist Luke tells us that the two set out walking to a village 60
Roman "stadia" from Jerusalem, that is, seven miles in distance (Lk. 24:13). Notice: in the language of Scripture, the life-journey of the Faithful Christian often is called a "walk," just as when the Lord tells Moses that He will try the people
"whether they will walk in My law or not" (Ex. 16:4 LXX). The Lord reveals Himself in the breaking of the Bread to
sustain us in our walk.
St. Luke continues: "And they talked together of all these things which had happened" (vs. 14). These "things which had
happened" continue to preoccupy the Church. All through Great Lent, and then with deep devotion during Great and Holy
Week, we reenter the very same events which these two disciples discussed. In those moments when "...the chief priests
and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him" (vs. 20), the Faithful encounter the living
Mystery of Jesus of Nazareth. We read about and sing and pray to Him "...Who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word
before God and all the people" (vs. 19).
We do not limit such recall to the annual Feast of Pascha. We reenter those events continually, week by week, fasting on
Wednesdays and Fridays, because He was betrayed and crucified on those respective days. Furthermore, we come together
each First Day of the week, holding the same hope, "...that it [is] He who [is] going to redeem Israel," and we share the
same wonder at the news from the Myrrh-Bearers, that "He [is] alive" (vss. 21-23). Behold, Christ joins us! Worship Him
Who opens Holy Scripture for us (vs. 27). Most of all, through His Priests, He takes the Bread of the Table, blesses God,
breaks the Bread and gives it to us (vs. 30).
Beloved brethren, their eyes were opened when He did these things with them (vs. 31). The actions have not changed.
They are what He does each and every time we assemble during our walk through life. Of course our hearts burn within us
while He talks with us on the road of life. Remember that He said, "Lo, I Am with you always even to the end of the age"
(Mt. 28:20). Rejoice! "Christ is among us. He is and He ever shall be."
We thank Thee, O our Father, for the life and knowledge which Thou hast revealed to us through Jesus Thy Servant. Glory
is Thine through all ages. Just as the bread broken was first scattered on the hills, then was gathered and became one, so
let us Thy Church be gathered from the ends of the earth into Thy kingdom, for Thine is glory and power through Jesus
Christ.
