{"id":293,"date":"2020-04-25T22:21:35","date_gmt":"2020-04-25T22:21:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/?p=293"},"modified":"2020-04-25T22:21:35","modified_gmt":"2020-04-25T22:21:35","slug":"easter-iii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/2020\/04\/25\/easter-iii\/","title":{"rendered":"Easter III"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/image-11.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-301\"\/><figcaption>Unknown artist, Christ on the Road to Emmaus, c. 1725, National Gallery of Art, Washington.  The provenance records that the painting was purchased from a Dutch family in the Hudson Valley of New York.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><em>During this time of physical isolation, we look for ways to share words of comfort and hope in the face of uncertainty and fear.  We encourage you to pray over the words that follow, and follow the song links within the liturgy.  Thanks this week to Dave, Amanda, Beth, Carmen, and Heather.       <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p>PRELUDE: &#8220;O Love of God&#8221; (Klusmeier)<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/oloveofgod.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>OPENING PRAYER<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Risen One,<br \/>\nBurn within our hearts this day.<br \/>\nWhen we walk the road, you are there.<br \/>\nWhen we share a meal, you are there.<br \/>\nWhen we break bread, and bless you for it\u2014<br \/>\nyou are there.<br \/>\nDo not vanish from our sight,<br \/>\nbut remain at our side.<br \/>\nWorship with us this day,<br \/>\nin the Spirit,<br \/>\nAmen.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>HYMN OF PRAISE: God we praise you for the morning<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/godwepraiseyou.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><em>God, we praise you for the morning;<br \/> hope springs forth with each new day,<br \/> new beginning, prayer, and promise,<br \/> joy in work and in play.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>God, we praise you for creation,<br \/> mountains, seas, and prairie land.<br \/> Waking souls find joy and healing<br \/> in your bountiful hand.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>God, we praise you for compassion,<br \/> all the loving that you show;<br \/> human touching, tears, and laughter,<br \/> help your children to grow.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>God, we praise you for your Spirit,<br \/> Comforter and daily friend,<br \/> restless searcher, gentle teacher,<br \/> strength and courage you send.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>God, we praise you for the Saviour,<br \/> come that we may know your ways.<br \/> In his loving, dying, rising,<br \/> Christ is Lord of our days.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Hallelujah, hallelujah,<br \/> hallelujah, hallelujah!<br \/> Hallelujah, hallelujah!<br \/> Christ is Lord of our days!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p>PRAYER OF CONFESSION<\/p>\n\n\n<p>We are tired, Lord.<br \/> For the road is long <br \/> and our journey seems without end.<br \/> You walk beside us, <br \/> but we often fail to see you.<br \/> Remind us, Lord,<br \/> that you live in us and others,<br \/> by the Spirit,<br \/> and that we can always find you<br \/> in the lonely, <br \/> in the broken,<br \/> and in the dispossessed.<br \/> Give us eyes to see you,<br \/> and hearts open to your love.<br \/> Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>ASSURANCE OF PARDON<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Jesus said to the disciples, \u201cTake heart. Have no fear.\u201d<br \/>\nAs disciples, we no longer need to be burdened by guilt,<br \/>\nno longer need to be bound by fear.<br \/>\nThanks be to God.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/48146400882_8f69130519_c.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption>Window detail, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis, MN.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>FIRST READING: Psalm 116.1-4, 12-14<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/ps116hebrew.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;<br \/>\n    he heard my cry for mercy.<br \/>\nBecause he turned his ear to me,<br \/>\n    I will call on him as long as I live.<br \/>\nThe cords of death entangled me,<br \/>\n    the anguish of the grave came over me;<br \/>\n    I was overcome by distress and sorrow.<br \/>\nThen I called on the name of the Lord:<br \/>\n    \u201cLord, save me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<p>What shall I return to the Lord<br \/>     for all his goodness to me?<br \/> I will lift up the cup of salvation<br \/>     and call on the name of the Lord.<br \/> I will fulfill my vows to the Lord<br \/>     in the presence of all his people.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>SECOND READING: Luke 24.13-35<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/luke24reading.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, \u2018What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?\u2019 They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, \u2018Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?\u2019 He asked them, \u2018What things?\u2019 They replied, \u2018The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.\u2019 Then he said to them, \u2018Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?\u2019 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.<br \/> As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, \u2018Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.\u2019 So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, \u2018Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?\u2019 That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, \u2018The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!\u2019 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>HYMN: Come children, join and sing<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/comechildren.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><em>Come, children, join to sing: Hallelujah!<br \/> Praise to our Servant King: Hallelujah!<br \/>     Let all with heart and voice,<br \/>     saved by God&#8217;s gracious choice,<br \/> now in this place rejoice: Hallelujah!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Come, lift your hearts on high: Hallelujah!<br \/> Let praises fill the sky: Hallelujah!<br \/>     Christ calls his people friends,<br \/>     the helpless he defends,<br \/> a love that never ends: Hallelujah!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>Praise yet our Christ again: Hallelujah!<br \/> Raise high the joyous strain: Hallelujah!<br \/>     The whole creation o&#8217;er<br \/>     let all God&#8217;s love adore,<br \/> singing for evermore: Hallelujah!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p>REFLECTION<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/april26sermon.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re seeing things we never thought we\u2019d see.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Take the Thursday night \u201cAt Issue\u201d panel.  For avid CBC watchers, Chantal, Althea, and Andrew usually appear in the studio, around a fancy glass table.  Now, we see a rec room or a loft, a rather nice exposed brick wall, and what appears to be a guest bedroom in the Coyne household.  I don\u2019t watch late night television, but I understand all the hosts are showing us a glimpse of their homes too.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Of course, this glimpse of the private from public figures is heavily curated, since we are only shown what they choose to show.  It\u2019s not like a spot inspection, or a random glimpse\u2014there is still a private life behind this (strangely intimate) public face.  Some would say this is nothing new, and that the rise of social media has prepared us for this moment.  Facebook and Instagram are gateways to this new world, photos and \u201cmoments\u201d that gave us a glimpse into the private, usually augmented by some sort of filter\u2014a form of enhanced reality or even a distortion of the truth.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>The terrible and tragic events in Nova Scotia take us down a rabbit hole once more: why didn\u2019t people see this coming?  How do ordinary and seemingly upstanding people turn out to be the opposite\u2014a monster in our midst?  This is the shadow side of unseen lives.  In the weeks and months that follow, our society will need to untangle the threads of this terrible event and ponder.  What should we know about each other, and what should we reveal?  How do we address the pattern of male violence and massive loss of life?  What control can we apply to random acts?  There are many other questions. <\/p>\n\n\n<p>And then, of course, we add this to the pile of things we are already trying to grapple with.  Isolation, grief, uncertainty\u2014just to name three\u2014and the abiding sense that the world has changed.  It\u2019s all too much, and so we look for solace: in each other, in the God we worship, and the scriptures that animate our life together.  I say trust the Bible to reveal what we need, to give voice to our hopes and fears, and to illuminate some truth for our time.  <\/p>\n\n\n<p>The first thing to note about the Road to Emmaus is that the story takes us back to the first evening of the resurrection, as two members of the fellowship are leaving Jerusalem.  So we have to adjust our look to recognize that this is an early moment\u2014with confusion and uncertainty still part of the telling.  Next, we should note that Cleopas and his unnamed companion are not part of the eleven that remain.  We are being introduced to more of the extended circle, the extended circle that symbolizes future believers like you and me.  <\/p>\n\n\n<p>Mostly, though, we need to remember that this takes place under the shadow of the cross: barely 72 hours earlier.  The meaning of resurrection remains unclear\u2014while the experience of Calvary and the cross is still very real.  The first thing Luke tells us is \u2018their faces were downcast.\u2019  And their conversation with the anonymous stranger begins with a pain-filled question: \u201cAre you the only one visiting Jerusalem who don&#8217;t know the things that have happened there in these days?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<p>I want to step back for a moment and admire Luke the storyteller.  At least two things are happening in this question, so filled with heartache.  First, we know the answer\u2014we know about the things that have happened during these days.  And in asking the question, Luke has made us insiders, made us part of the group.  Next, we know this stranger is Jesus (Luke just told us) and we know what kind of story this is\u2014a story of the hidden visitor.  So let\u2019s step out of the story for a moment to meet the hidden visitor.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>The first and most familiar example of the hidden visitor is the Lord\u2019s appearance in the form of three strangers.  Abram (Abraham) welcomes them, feeds them, and leans in as they ask \u201cpray, where is your wife, Sarah?\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere, in the tent,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\u201cDid you know,\u201d one of the strangers says, \u201cthat when we return next year, Sarah will have a son?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Sarah, listening from inside the tent, laughs and says to herself, \u201cI\u2019m worn out, and he\u2019s old, so how\u2019s that gonna work?\u201d  But nothing is too hard for the Lord, as the Lord reminds them in the guise of a stranger, then departs.  You could argue that this moment is the beginning of three of the world\u2019s great religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam\u2014 three religions, one covenant.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>The trend of the hidden visitor continues.  Jacob wrestles with God throughout the night to secure a blessing, Moses encounters God in the burning bush, the commander of the army of the Lord appears to Joshua near Jericho\u2014in each case, God is hidden then disclosed, unknown then revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>At Emmaus, Jesus is revealed in two ways, and I want to look at each in turn.  The first is a partial revealing, or perhap the key to revealing, as Luke describes the dialogue:  \u201cAnd beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.\u201d  Jesus uses the words and the stories of the Bible-he-loved to help them see, to help them understand the continuing covenant of love and mercy.  The Old Testament is the story of God and God\u2019s people, and Jesus asks us to locate him and locate ourselves in its pages.  This does not supersede the covenant with our sister religions: it simply helps us in our walk with God\u2014through all the ages.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>The other way Jesus is revealed is in the breaking of bread.  Why bread?  Well, Jesus is the Bread of Life, so it follows.  But bread is also the most common of foods, often broken each day.  From the humble to the grand\u2014kitchen table to well-appointed dining room table\u2014bread is broken.  \u201cEach time you do this, remember me,\u201d Jesus said, seeking a place in our every day.  He is our daily bread, and he seeks a place at our table.  Jesus is revealed when bread is broken, whether the table is crowded or we eat alone.  <\/p>\n\n\n<p>In truth, we\u2019re seeing things we never thought we\u2019d see.  I have seen more baked goods in the last six weeks (at our house and online) than I\u2019ve ever seen before.  But I also see a continuity, a desire to show the positive and the creative, to show some normality in the abnormal times we inhabit.  And I see signs of people reaching out, creating symbols of solidarity and comfort in a difficult time.  Hope that feels hidden is being revealed, and many are doing their best to find hope in others.  At the top of this page (online) is an effort to summarize this work: \u201cseeing Christ in others\u201d and seeing Christ revealed is the same work, from that table at Emmaus to the table in your home.  <\/p>\n\n\n<p>\u201cWere not our hearts burning within us,\u201d they ask, \u201cwhile he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?\u201d  Our hearts burn with the desire to walk with the Risen One, to see him in psalms and prophets, and to see him in each other.  May God bless us, and hold us, today and every day.  Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>SPECIAL MUSIC: &#8220;Lord, I Need You&#8221; (Maher)<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/lordineedyou.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/image-12.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-305\"\/><figcaption>Rembrandt, detail of Pilgrims at Emmaus, 1648, Mus\u00e9e du Louvre, Paris.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE<\/p>\n\n\n<p>God of love and mercy,<br \/>\nwe gather in this imperfect way,<br \/>\ntrusting that you alone join us\u2014one to another.<br \/>\nHold us this day, <br \/>\nand surround us with your grace.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>God of the brokenhearted,<br \/>\nwe ache for the bereaved,<br \/>\nand lives turned upside down.<br \/>\nWe pray for two sets of victims,<br \/>\nlost to violence and disease.<br \/>\nBe with those who mourn,<br \/>\nand those who struggle to understand,<br \/>\nand those who cannot be comforted.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>God of the weary,<br \/>\nyou alone know our fatigue,<br \/>\neverywhere we turn we feel the weight<br \/>\nof lost hope, and lost opportunity,<br \/>\nand loss of confidence in much <br \/>\nthat we take for granted.<br \/>\nHeal our spirits,<br \/>\nwith your Spirit,<br \/>\nand lead us back to you.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>God of each day,<br \/> send us signs of your renewing presence,<br \/> reassure us in this time of trouble,<br \/> and give us new confidence <br \/> in the face of uncertainty,<br \/> In Jesus&#8217; name we pray, Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>THE LORD&#8217;S PRAYER<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Our Father who art in heaven,<br \/>hallowed be thy name.<br \/>Thy kingdom come,<br \/>Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.<br \/>Give us this day our daily bread;<br \/>and forgive us our trespasses<br \/>as we forgive those who trespass against us;<br \/>and lead us not into temptation<br \/>but deliver us from evil.<br \/>For thine is the kingdom,<br \/>and the power, and the glory,<br \/>for ever and ever. Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>HYMN: I heard the voice of Jesus say<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/iheardthevoice.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><em>I heard the voice of Jesus say,<br \/> &#8220;Come unto me and rest;<br \/> lay down, O weary one, lay down<br \/> your head upon my breast.&#8221;<br \/> I came to Jesus as I was,<br \/> weary and worn and sad;<br \/> I found in him a resting place,<br \/> and he has made me glad.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>I heard the voice of Jesus say,<br \/> &#8220;Behold, I freely give<br \/> the living water; thirsty one,<br \/> stoop down and drink, and live.&#8221;<br \/> I came to Jesus, and I drank<br \/> of that life-giving stream;<br \/> my thirst was quenched, my soul revived,<br \/> and now I live in him.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p><em>I heard the voice of Jesus say,<br \/> &#8220;I am this dark world&#8217;s Light;<br \/> look unto me, your morn shall rise,<br \/> and all your days be bright.&#8221;<br \/> I looked to Jesus and I found<br \/> in him my Star, my Sun;<br \/> and in that light of life I&#8217;ll walk,<br \/> &#8217;til trav&#8217;ling days are done.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p>BLESSING<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way,<br \/> and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless<br \/> until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. Amen.<br \/> \u20141 Thessalonians 5:23<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/meetagainredux.m4a\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>God be with you till we meet again;<br \/> loving counsels guide, uphold you,<br \/> with a shepherd\u2019s care enfold you;<br \/> God be with you till we meet again.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"http:\/\/oneking.ca\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/image-13-1024x724.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-312\"\/><figcaption>Izaak &#8220;Sacrebleu&#8221; Kooiman, &#8220;thug mansion&#8221; (private collection)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>During this time of physical isolation, we look for ways to share words of comfort and hope in the face of uncertainty and fear. We encourage you to pray over the words that follow, and follow the song links within the liturgy. Thanks this week to Dave, Amanda, Beth, Carmen, and Heather. PRELUDE: &#8220;O Love &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/2020\/04\/25\/easter-iii\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Easter III<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/293"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=293"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/293\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=293"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=293"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/michaelkooiman.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=293"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}