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The intent of Pilgrim Processing is to provide commentary on the Daily Lectionary from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. The format for the comment is Old Testament Lesson first, Gospel, and Epistle with a portion of one of the Psalms for the day as a prayer at the end.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

24 April 2011

Psalm 148, 149, 150; Exod. 12:1-14; Luke 24:13-35

The people of Egypt had seen what the Hebrews had seen, the miracles or signs of God in proving Himself to both people groups. In the final few signs the Lord had clearly made a distinction between the two groups and the Egyptians made a choice to remain within their own place rather than to go out to the land of Goshen where the Israelites were. The Lord here makes a further and final distinction between the people in the night of the death of the firstborn but this one requires something more than being in the right camp. This is the first time when it has required them to do something, an act of faith, obedience to the scrupulous commands of the Lord concerning the Passover Lamb and its blood. Faith was the operative thing here, they had to do these things believing that the Lord would honor His word of promise to pass over the homes of those who complied with the command. It was the first time the people had to do something to prevent the judgment of God among them, they had to prove they believed Him.

The men walking on the road to Emmaus were among the pilgrims who had been in Jerusalem for the Passover festival and who knew all about Jesus and what had happened there. They were disciples, not among the twelve but those who had followed from a distance. They were returning to their home and they were talking about what had happened with the crucifixion and the reports of resurrection when Jesus came alongside for the journey and began asking questions. They didn’t recognize Him, just as Mary Magdalene hadn’t recognized Him. They were certainly not looking for Him and even though they had heard of the resurrection they had only heard some of the women claimed to have seen Him, the disciples themselves had not seen Jesus, only the empty tomb. Could they accept the testimony of women? Women were not allowed to testify at court so here perhaps they were uncertain what exactly had happened yet and then Jesus began to explain the matters to them and they begged this learned man to stay with them. At the breaking of bread together, the Eucharistic action of taking, blessing, breaking and giving to them, they suddenly realize it is Him and then suddenly He is gone. The fact that Luke tells us their eyes were opened should tell us also that the Lord had prevented their seeing Him prior to this time. They immediately returned to Jerusalem to tell the others, even though the day was late, they couldn’t wait to share what they had seen and heard. Such is the joy of knowing the resurrected Jesus!

Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

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