Emmaus Day At Walk With Me!

Good Evening Beloved Ones!

Happy Emmaus Day at Walk With Me! Wednesday in Easter Week brings us the story of Jesus, Cleopas, and the unnamed disciple on the road to Emmaus. We all need to remember that this event is just one of many that happened on Easter/ Resurrection Sunday. For those of you who are wanting Jesus' itinerary after he arose from the dead here it is with links to Easter Sunday's Gospel lectionary.

Easter Day Early


Easter Day Principle


Easter Day Evening Service


Your question if you should decide to ponder it is this: Would you have recognized Jesus? If yes, why? If the answer is no, why not?

Have you ever wanted to go in disguise prior to Covid-19 and Halloween?

Let's ponder these quotes on disguise:

"The best live among us in disguise." ~ Louis Dudek

"A person's true nature will reveal itself despite disguise." ~ Aesop

"We are so accustomed to disguise ourselves to others that in the end we become disguised to ourselves." ~ Francois de La Rochefoucauld

"What I am looking for is a blessing not in disguise." ~ Jerome K. Jerome

"Every day I see Jesus Christ in all his distressing disguises." ~ Mother Teresa

"Those who cannot conceive of Friendship as a substantive love but only as a disguise or elaboration of Eros betray the fact that they have never had a Friend." ~ C. S. Lewis

"Anger is fear in disguise." ~ Rajneesh

"Difficult times are the greatest opportunities in disguise. When we face difficult times we have to put in determined work to get ourselves into joy. Difficult times are your greatest opportunity to practice yourself into joy!" ~ Rhonda Byrne

"God changes appearances every second. Blessed is the man who can recognize him in all his disguises. One moment he is a glass of fresh water, the next, your son bouncing on your knees or an enchanting woman, or perhaps merely a morning walk." ~ Nikos Kazantzakis

"After all, what is your personal identity? It is what you really are, your real self. None of us is what he thinks he is, or what other people think he is, still less what his passport says he is. And it is fortunate for most of us that we are mistaken. We do not generally know what is good for us. That is because, in St. Bernard's language, our true personality has been concealed under the 'disguise' of a false self, the ego, whom we tend to worship in place of God." ~ Thomas Merton

"[Every disappointment or misfortune can become a blessing in disguise, for which we should be grateful. But only if the hidden blessing is anticipated, expected and searched for will it be found and recognised as such and the most made of it. For example...] Many a man curses the rain that falls upon his head, and knows not that it brings abundance to drive away hunger." ~ Saint Basil

"Emptiness is only a disguise for an intimacy of God's, that God's silence, the eerie stillness, is filled by the Word without words, by Him who is above all names, by Him who is all in all. And his silence is telling us that He is here." ~ Karl Rahner

"Since the primary motive of the evil is disguise, one of the places evil people are most likely to be found is within the church. What better way to conceal one's evil from oneself, as well as from others, than to be a deacon or some other highly visible form of Christian within our culture? ... I do not mean to imply that the evil are anything other than a small minority among the religious or that the religious motives of most people are in any way spurious. I mean only that evil people tend to gravitate toward piety for the disguise and concealment it can offer them." ~ Martin Buber

"The dying, the cripple, the mental, the unwanted, the unloved-- they are Jesus in disguise." ~ Mother Teresa

"In the poor we meet Jesus in his most distressing disguises." ~ Mother Teresa

"Dearest Lord, may I see you today and every day in the person of your sick, and, whilst nursing them, minister unto you. Though you hide yourself behind the unattractive disguise of the irritable, the exacting, the unreasonable, may I still recognize you, and say: "Jesus, my patient, how sweet it is to serve you." ~ Mother Teresa

"When you perceive that problems serve a purpose in your life, you will recognize that problems are opportunities in disguise." ~ Peace Pilgrim

"The religious leader is the most untrustworthy of leaders; in no other station do we have so many opportunities for pride, covetousness and lust, and with so many excellent disguises to keep such ignobility from being found out and called to account." ~ Eugene H. Peterson

"If only you could see the whole picture, if you knew the whole story, you would realize that no problem ever comes to you that does not have a purpose in your life, that cannot contribute to your inner growth. When you perceive this, you will recognize that problems are opportunities in disguise. If you did not face problems, you would just drift through life. It is through solving problems in accordance with the highest light we have that inner growth is attained." ~ Peace Pilgrim

+ + + + + ++

Joseph Barth: A Grace

We give thanks for Being;

We give thanks for being here;

We give thanks for being here together.

INVOCATION - St. Augustine

O Love of God, descend into my heart;

Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling,

And scatter there Your cheerful beams.

Dwell in the soul that longs to be Your temple;

Water that barren soil overrun with weeds and briars

And lost for lack of cultivating.

Make it fruitful with Your dew.

Come, dear Refreshment of those who languish;

Come, Star and Guide of those who sail amidst tempests.

You are the Haven of the tossed and shipwrecked.

Come now, Glory and Crown of the living,

As well as the Safeguard of the dying.

Come, Sacred Spirit;

Come, and make me fit to receive You.

Alleluia! Christ is risen.

The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

On this day the Lord has acted; we will rejoice and be glad in

it.    Psalm 118:24

Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord

Jesus Christ.    1 Corinthians 15:57

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that

are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Colossians 3:1

Christ has entered, not into a sanctuary made with hands, a

copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in

the presence of God on our behalf.    Hebrews 9:24

You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon

you; and you shall be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all

Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.    Acts 1:8

When we were baptised into Christ Jesus, we were baptised into his death; so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.Romans 6:3–4

Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; therefore let us keep the feast.1 Corinthians 5:7–8

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.Psalm 118:24

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.1 Peter 1:3

Prayer For Light

Eternal God, who led your ancient people into freedom by a

pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night: Grant that

we who walk in the light of your presence may rejoice in the

liberty of the children of God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Lord is risen from the tomb, * alleluia, alleluia.

The Lord is risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia.

Who for our sake hung upon the Tree:

Alleluia, alleluia.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

The Lord is risen from the tomb, alleluia, alleluia.

V. The disciples were glad, alleluia:

R. When they saw the risen Lord, alleluia.

O Gracious Light    Phos hilaron

O gracious light,

pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,

O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,

and our eyes behold the vesper light,

we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,

O Son of God, O Giver of Life,

and to be glorified through all the worlds.

FIRE AND LIGHT - St. Augustine

O Fire that always burns, and never goes out, kindle me!

O Light which ever shines, illuminate me!

Let us light our candles and be at prayer. Tonight we pray for the peace of the world and especially the victims of the atrocities in Sri Lanka. We pray for the families who lost loved ones and friends. We pray for and  end to violence and terror of all kinds and that our family members who are driven to commit these terrible acts may learn that this isn't the way to live or treat others. Help us to continue to love God, love our neighbors, and ourselves. We pray for all who are actively involved in making peace and striving for justice and universal human rights of others. We pray that we may be CALM (compassionate, accepting, loving, and merciful) Help us we pray to take time for our physical, spiritual, and mental health. We give thanks O God for the gift of your son as our savior and redeemer and brother. We give thanks to Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and the love model he continues to show us daily.Let us remember this tonight: The Light of Christ In Me recognizes the Light of Christ in you! Amen.

IN  LAK’ECH

TÚ ERES MI OTRO YO.

YOU ARE MY OTHER ME.

SI TE HAGO DAÑO A TI,

IF I DO HARM TO YOU,

ME HAGO DAÑO A MI MISMO.

I DO HARM TO MYSELF.

SI TE AMO Y RESPETO,

IF I LOVE AND RESPECT YOU,

ME AMO Y RESPETO YO.

I LOVE AND RESPECT MYSELF.

LUIS VALDEZ

 A Smudging Prayer (Metis Aboriginal Ministries)
Creator,
our Father in heaven,
we come to you as your children.
We confess that we are weak and broken images of you.
We pray for the forgiveness and healing you give in Jesus Christ. May his Spirit clean our spirits, minds, hearts, and bodies.
We pray that your Holy Spirit will help us to worship in spirit and truth. 
We pray in the name of Jesus, so that his Spirit will carry our prayers to you. Amen. 

 You are God   Te Deum laudamus

You are God: we praise you;

You are the Lord; we acclaim you;

You are the eternal Father:

All creation worships you.

To you all angels, all the powers of heaven,

Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:

    Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

    heaven and earth are full of your glory.

The glorious company of apostles praise you.

The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.

The white-robed army of martyrs praise you.

Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;

    Father, of majesty unbounded,

    your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,

    and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

You, Christ, are the king of glory,

the eternal Son of the Father.

When you became man to set us free

you did not shun the Virgin's womb.

You overcame the sting of death

and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

You are seated at God's right hand in glory.

We believe that you will come and be our judge.

    Come then, Lord, and help your people,

    bought with the price of your own blood,

    and bring us with your saints

    to glory everlasting.

WALK WITH JOY - From Services for Congregational Worship

O God, who turns into morning the shadows of the night; may we be children of the light and of the day. Enlighten our reason, make clear our conscience, and purify our affections. We give ourselves to You this day, praying that we may be so governed by You that faithless distrust and all evil thoughts may be driven from our minds; that we may walk with joy in the light of Your countenance.

LITANY OF LOVE- From Services for Congregational Worship

O God, the source of all being and all joy, let Your blessings be upon us, and fill us with Your love. From all jealousy and envy, from all unkindness, from offense given or taken, from unrighteous anger and an impatient spirit, from a hard and unforgiving temper, and from evilspeaking, O God, deliver us.

From all ambition and greed which bring want and distress to multitudes and debase the bodies and souls of many, shutting from them the fullness of life, O God, deliver us.

From an unquiet and discontented spirit, from despondency and gloom, from doubts of Your boundless love, and from forgetfulness of the manifold goods of life, O God, deliver us.

Inspire in us that spirit which suffers long and is kind; which envies not; boasts not itself, is not puffed up; which does not behave unseemly, and seeks not its own. Grant us to be filled with the fullness of Your spirit.

Quicken in us that charity which is not easily provoked, which thinks no evil, which rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; which bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things; the charity which never fails; That so by Your grace we may establish good will upon the earth.

O God, the Father and Mother of us all, who has breathed Your own spirit into Your children and made us to be one with each other as members of Your household: enable us to make Your house a refuge for every wounded spirit, a home for every aspiring soul. Amid diversities of knowledge and of faith, may we be one in spirit, in affection, and in devotion to You.

Psalm 105:1-8

Confitemini Domino


1 Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name; *
make known his deeds among the peoples.

2 Sing to him, sing praises to him, *
and speak of all his marvelous works.

3 Glory in his holy Name; *
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

4 Search for the Lord and his strength; *
continually seek his face.

5 Remember the marvels he has done, *
his wonders and the judgments of his mouth,

6 O offspring of Abraham his servant, *
O children of Jacob his chosen.

7 He is the Lord our God; *
his judgments prevail in all the world.

8 He has always been mindful of his covenant, *
the promise he made for a thousand generations.

or
Psalm 118:19-24

Confitemini Domino


19 Open for me the gates of righteousness; *
I will enter them;
I will offer thanks to the Lord.

20 "This is the gate of the Lord; *
he who is righteous may enter."

21 I will give thanks to you, for you answered me *
and have become my salvation.

22 The same stone which the builders rejected *
has become the chief cornerstone.

23 This is the Lord's doing, *
and it is marvelous in our eyes.

24 On this day the Lord has acted; *
we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Christ our Passover     Pascha nostrum

1 Corinthians 5:7-8; Romans 6:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22

Alleluia.

Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; *

    therefore let us keep the feast,

Not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, *

    but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.

Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; *

    death no longer has dominion over him.

The death that he died, he died to sin, once for all; *

    but the life he lives, he lives to God.

So also consider yourselves dead to sin, *

    and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.

Christ has been raised from the dead, *

    the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

For since by a man came death, *

    by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.

For as in Adam all die, *

    so in Christ shall all be made alive. Alleluia.

Acts 3:1-10

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o'clock in the afternoon. And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, "Look at us." And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, "I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk." And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him

8    The Song of Moses    Cantemus Domino

         Exodus 15:1-6, 11-13, 17-18

Especially suitable for use in Easter Season

I will sing to the Lord, for he is lofty and uplifted; *

    the horse and its rider has he hurled into the sea.

The Lord is my strength and my refuge; *

    the Lord has become my Savior.

This is my God and I will praise him, *

    the God of my people and I will exalt him.

The Lord is a mighty warrior; *

    Yahweh is his Name.

The chariots of Pharaoh and his army has he hurled into the sea; *

    the finest of those who bear armor have been

                             drowned in the Red Sea.

The fathomless deep has overwhelmed them; *

    they sank into the depths like a stone.

Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in might; *

    your right hand, O Lord, has overthrown the enemy.

Who can be compared with you, O Lord, among the gods? *

    who is like you, glorious in holiness,

    awesome in renown, and worker of wonders?

You stretched forth your right hand; *

    the earth swallowed them up.

With your constant love you led the people you redeemed; *

    with your might you brought them in safety to

                             your holy dwelling.

You will bring them in and plant them *

    on the mount of your possession,

The resting-place you have made for yourself, O Lord, *

    the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hand has established.

The Lord shall reign *

    for ever and for ever.

Luke 24:13-35
Now on that same day, the first day of the week, two of the disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and 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, "What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?" They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?" He asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The 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." Then he said to them, "Oh, 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?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.


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, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over." 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, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?" That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

 The Song of Mary    Magnificat

          Luke 1:46-55

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *

    for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed: *

    the Almighty has done great things for me,

    and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him *

    in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm, *

    he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *

    and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things, *

    and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *

    for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

The promise he made to our fathers, *

    to Abraham and his children for ever.

The Lord’s Prayer or the alternative is said. From A New Zealand Prayer Book.

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours

now and for ever. Amen.

Or

Eternal Spirit,

Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,

Source of all that is and that shall be,

Father and Mother of us all,

Loving God, in whom is heaven:

The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!

The way of your justice be followed by the peoples

of the world!

Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!

Your commonwealth of peace and freedom

sustain our hope and come on earth.

With the bread we need for today, feed us.

In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.

In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.

From trials too great to endure, spare us.

From the grip of all that is evil, free us.

For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,

now and for ever. Amen.

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Holy God, holy and mighty, you call us together into one communion and fellowship: Open our eyes, we pray,  as you opened the eyes of your servant Tikhon, that we may see the faithfulness of others as we strive to be steadfast in the faith delivered unto us, that the world may see and know you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be glory and praise unto ages of ages. Amen.

The Song of the Redeemed    Magna et mirabilia

          Revelation 15:3-4

O ruler of the universe, Lord God,

great deeds are they that you have done, *

    surpassing human understanding.

Your ways are ways of righteousness and truth, *

O King of all the ages.

Who can fail to do you homage, Lord,

and sing the praises of your Name? *

    for you only are the Holy One.

All nations will draw near and fall down before you, *

    because your just and holy works have been revealed.

Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, creator

of the changes of day and night, giving rest to the weary,

renewing the strength of those who are spent, bestowing

upon us occasions of song in the evening. As you have

protected us in the day that is past, so be with us in the

coming night; keep us from every sin, every evil, and every

fear; for you are our light and salvation, and the strength

of our life. To you be glory for endless ages. Amen.

Let us pray in the words attributed to St. Francis and Teresa of Avila.

A Prayer attributed to St. Francis

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is
in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life. Amen.

Teresa of Avila (1515–1582)

Christ Has No Body

“Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”  Teresa of Avila

The Beatitudes Matthew 5:3–12

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. (5:3)

Blessed are those who mourn: for they will be comforted. (5:4)

Blessed are the meek: for they will inherit the earth. (5:5)

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they will be filled. (5:6)

Blessed are the merciful: for they will be shown mercy. (5:7)

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they will see God. (5:8)

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they will be called children of God. (5:9)

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (5:10)

Prayers for Easter!

Jesus we give thanks for your rising from the dead and redeeming us from sin, fear, and invisibility.

Jesus we give thanks for the women in your life who bore witness to your resurrection and thereby gave us a place in ministry with you.

Jesus we give thanks for your institution of the Holy Eucharist and making us aware of who you truly are in the breaking of the bread and in fellowship with one another.

Jesus we give thanks for your acceptance of all of us and including us on your journey with you.

Jesus we give thanks for your healing power everyday that we live move, and have our being.

Jesus we give thanks for you who came down from heaven to be among us and live as we are from babyhood and until your resurrection.

Jesus we pray for all who are in need of healing now, be with them and may they feel your love and give them courage.

Jesus we pray for all clergy and lay ministers who are in need of rest after this Lenten, Holy Week and  Easter day.

Jesus we pray for all who mourn any kind of loss that they may feel your comforting hands upon them.

Jesus, we pray for all who are dying and those who have died and entered into the Thin  Places.

Jesus, we pray for sound government. and that divisions may cease.

Jesus we pray and give thanks for this night all that is on our hearts minds and we pray especially for those who have asked us for our prayers.

Jesus , receive these our prayers in your name. Amen.

The Song of Simeon Nunc Dimittis
Luke 2:29-32

Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.

God’s Blessing be with you,
Christ’s peace be with you,
the Spirit’s outpouring be with you,
now and always. Amen.
(source: Celtic)

The Wisdom of God
the Love of God
and the Grace of God
strengthen you
to be Christ’s hands and heart in this world,
in the name of the Holy Trinity. Amen.
(source: Celtic)

Good Night Beloved Community! Have a restful and peaceful night as we celebrate being made brand new by the death and resurrection of Jesus.

May we continue to follow on our pilgrim journey with courage, strength, and resilience. May we spread the Good News of the God News to all whom we meet not only in our words but in our compassionate, accepting, loving, and merciful deeds.  I love you and give thanks to God for you this day and always.

Love and blessings,

Sara

Resources

A to Z quotes

Prayers for Today

Prayers of Power

Online Book of Common Prayer

Lectionary Page

A New Zealand Prayer Book

Walk With Me On Our Journey