Notes from a Sojourn
April 15, 2020
Appearances
Have you ever encountered someone that you haven’t see in a while and their appearance changed so much, that they were unrecognizable? I have had a number of these experiences where former students approached me, introduced themselves, and I still had no idea who they were because their physical form had altered so much from when I knew them as a student. I chalk it up to corporeal maturity mostly, but some of these chance meetings occurred only a few short years removed. I am fascinated, and a little frightened, by my inability to recognize someone who I had spent considerable time with and who I thought I would know forever. Appearances can be very deceiving indeed.
As the two disciples walked the road to Emmaus, “15While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.” Luke 24:15-16 The gospel reading for today tells the story of Jesus’ appearance to the two and how they did not recognize or realize who it was they were traveling with. I wonder if we would or do recognize Jesus when he travels with us. Do I see him in the people that I encounter each and every day? Do I see him in the people who live in the low-income housing projects? Do I see him in Centre 105 or the other outreach missions? Do I see him in all the hard-to-love people that take advantage of others and government initiatives during crisis situations? He is easy to see and find in the people that are serving others and who align with my moral and ethical values, but much more difficult to encounter in the poor, the sick, and the needy. It’s easy to recognize Jesus in all the good, peaceful, and serene environments and yet so difficult to see when people and circumstances are hard, trying and insufferable.
I pray that God will give us eyes to see and that we will encounter Jesus in all whom we interact. After a month of self-isolation where families and friends have been separated; individuals have lost livelihoods; and death has come knocking, we have to look harder for Jesus. It is important to see, recognize, and feel his presence and especially now when hope is waning, and faith is being questioned during these challenging conditions. He is alive and desires us to find him….in EVERYONE! I leave you with my former rector and friend’s blessing at the end of each service:
May you see the face of Jesus in everyone you meet and may everyone you meet see the face of Jesus in you!
Mark Lewis, Pastoral Intern
