Psalm 116:1-9, 12-17 You…delivered my soul.
Luke 24:13-35 Then they recognized him.
I.
One of my treasured memories from nearly forty years in ordained ministry is of a senior high adventure retreat to the Rocky Mountains. Guided by an old hand from our Boy Scout troop, we took about ten teens on a week’s backpack trip to the high trails. Leaving our vehicles far behind, we climbed to over 11,000 feet, well above timber line. We slept in small tents with hail beating down on them, learned to drink safely from mountain streams, swam in bone-chlling lakes, created simple meals from what we carried on our backs.
While I said the memory is treasured, the actual experience had its share of challenges. Though advised on how to train for the climb, one young woman became exhausted in the first hour of the hike. Panting heavily, she sat down on a rock and refused to go any further. As we lightened her pack by sharing what she was carrying, I wondered if we were going to have to carry her for the week! Through most of the trip, we had to prod her along while listening to her moans and groans. Group morale was slipping. Another hiker decided that it was fine to sneak marajuana. When confronted, he angrily declared he did not like anyone on the trip and that he would just go on alone, meeting us at the cars at the end of the week. We adults had to keep a very close watch on this young man.
By the third night, near the highest point of the trail, hikers and leaders were fatigued and a bit edgy. Patience was growing short. The youth were sniping at each other and grousing about the adult leaders. The goal of helping the students to bond with one another so that an exciting church youth group would form was fast fading in sweat, stress and struggle. Around the campfire that night, after supper, the kids voiced their anger at the young woman with the low endurance and the young man who wanted to smoke pot and push ahead alone. And these two fought back with harsh remarks for the rest.
Finally, I stopped all conversation and told everyone we were going to play a game. Groans! I asked each one to be silent, listen to the crackling fire, drink deeply of the beauty of the camp site, the sunset, the crisp, clear air. I asked each to think of one quality each found appealing in each of the others. The instruction included the requirement that, even if you at first find nothing likeable in one of the others, try harder. Pray about it, I said. More groans! Then more silence as each reflected. Then, we spent time listening to each person, adults included, one at a time tell each of the others one thing they liked in the other person.
It was a long evening, beautiful and powerful. At first everyone acknowledged that the exercise seemed silly and contrived. But as the group got into the experience, a miracle happened. Heartfelt comments came, fears were expressed. Angers, released. The non-athletic girl shared her absolute terror at the beginning of the adventure. Then she thanked everyone for helping her get this far. People told her how brave she was and how they admired her efforts. The boy said hefelt like an outsider, forced by his parents to participate in the week. When the youth found words to affirm him- I admire your quiet strength. You are smart, Tears came as he said that he was beginning to feel a part of a group. After a while, everyone was spontaneously sharing how much they appreciated everyone else and the evening ended in laughter at the silly things that had happened.
In closing worship, in the sharing of Bread and Cup and the Communion prayers, the group’s transformation was complete. We huddled closer to the warm camp fire, our faces a glowing orange. We looked into each other’s eyes as good friends do. In the quiet, with only the crackling fire, a Spirit filled the moment. Another Presence, one who had been with us all along the trail but had been unseen until now. The new, warm feelings we felt for each other were evidence of God’s life among us; Holy love accessible to us then and there.
II.
Like it was to Jesus’ friends at Table that Easter night. They had not recognized him in their traveling companion that day, as they drudged along to Emmaus. They were focused on their grief and sorrow and fear of arrest. All they knew was their anger at the murder of the best human being they had known. There on the road, they could not see him. But at the end of the day, when they reflected on their experience with the stranger who shared from his heart; and when, in offering him hospitality, he became the host- then they knew. Our hearts burned within us when…
It’s hard to see Holiness when we our souls are contorted in grief and fear and self-defense. And, in ordinary time, on the roads of life, going places and doing things, at the store or in the office or on the plane hustling to another meeting, we are much too absorbed in agendas and cell phones and deadlines. When we do have private moments, on the Metro, in the airport waiting area, alone in the hotel room on the other side of the world from home, we insulate ourselves with reading a novel or the daily paper. On the Beltway, we are engaged with the game of speedway survival.
Like Cleopas and his friend, we can be so busy getting somewhere that we are unable to appreciate the experience along the way. It’s as if we are on a night train zooming along to some distant city. We are going somewhere but when we look out of the windows to see where we are, we only see the reflection of ourselves.
Yet there is Another along on the ride, One who waits for our soul-doors to open so the heart can see clearly. Like the backpackers experienced, focusing on the needs of another often brings God close. Or when reaching the end of our patience, emotional resources drained, we confront our vulnerability and feel fresh wind on our souls.
III.
The Easter message is we are never home alone! ‘Never on the road alone. And the same is true congregations, governments and societies.
As it moves into its future, Rock Spring will discover that new leadership and new vision will reveal the presence of the Holy walking with it on the journey. This congregation will build on the strength of the past to find new ways of ministering to new members and friends. Rock Spring will move forward with its social justice ministries like eco-justice, marriage equality, continued concern for the Iraq War. And God will be in it.
As this nation continues its prolonged trek to the next national elections, it faces a new and exciting future of change and challenge. It is not alone. Forces are unleashed that reflect core spiritual values- racial and economic equality at home and just peace with equal opportunity abroad. These reflect the heartfelt beliefs of every religion and every human being.
We walk mountains and valleys in life. Every person and entity experience heartfelt losses as well as amazing possibilities for new, better days. No one knows what is ahead but everyone should know of God’s companionship on that road. The divine mind and heart created us for reason and meaning. We are not alone. No matter how hopeless life may appear at any given historical moment, Hope walks with us. Seen or unseen, the Holy knows our name and needs our efforts. In this is life’s essential significance.
When the young woman, huffing and puffing, aching all over, reached the highest point on the mountain hike, she threw her hands in the air and declared victory. To this day, a photo of her triumph is displayed in her home. She tells her children that this moment represented the turning point of life and the birthing of her faith.
And she could not have done it alone! Neither could any of us.
We need the help of one another, revealing God with us…
‘Always with us…on the road.
Amen.