From the Pastor

April 6, 2008

Dear Friends,

Luke’s story of the Road to Emmaus sits as the cornerstone for our Liturgy of the Word this weekend. In reality I believe it sits as the cornerstone of our journey of faith. Perhaps as much as any other story in the Bible, the walk to Emmaus is our story of the Christian Journey.

Like the disciples in the Emmaus story, we too often find ourselves wondering and bewildered as we walk this journey together. We too get together with one another and discuss "all the things that have happened." Like the disciples in the Emmaus story we too try "to figure out life."

Like the disciple in the Emmaus story we too sometimes miss Jesus standing in our midst. We too at times get so caught up in our own stuff, that we miss his presence in our lives. But we know he is there in the single parent and in the elderly neighbor. He is there in the loving parent and in the faithful friend. He is there in the homeless man and in the successful businesswoman. He is there in our midst, but sometimes we fail to see him.

Like the disciples in the story, we listen when we hear someone making sense about life. We yearn to know more about God and his good news, so we listen intently when someone captures the essence of the Gospel. Because, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we want our lives to have meaning.

And, hopefully, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus we are filled with joy and excitement and can hardly wait to share that good news with a friend. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we too urge Jesus to stay with us…and we with him.

As we continue our Easter journey we do so mindful of a God who walks with us and who we recognize in the breaking of the bread.

Lovingly in Christ,

Fr. Tom

April 2008

Easter is a Season; Not Just a Day!

There is a story told about a communist speaking to a packed audience in Russia, shortly after the fall of the communist party. His topic was a debate with an Eastern Orthodox priest about the teachings of Christianity. Specifically, he went to great lengths to discredit the resurrection of Jesus. When he finished, the priest asked ifhe might reply. He was told he had five minutes.

Given a maximum of five minutes, he replied, "I'll only need five seconds." Then he turned toward the audience and gave the traditional Eastern Orthodox Easter greeting. He cried out, "Christ is risen!" Back with a thunderous roar came the traditional reply from the crowded auditorium, "Truly He is risen!" As I heard this story, I wondered how the priest would be so sure the people would respond. I wondered why that proclamation held such power over the people. Why, I wondered, did they believe so firmly?

As I thought about it, however, it became quite clear. For Christians, the Easter mystery is all about the power of the Christ! The good news is that we have access to that power in our own lives. You see, if death has no power over us, if we do not have to fear death itself, then what really can harm us? That is the Easter mystery. That is our hope!

It is made clear in the song, "Be Not Afraid" when it states, "If you stand before the power of hell and death is at your side, know that I am with you through it all." This is what Easter is all about, knowing that death is not the end. That is why Churches were a little fuller on Easter Sunday that they are on most Sundays. We know this is the season of our hope!

There is a wonderful scene in "The Wizard of Oz." The wicked witch threatens Glenda the good witch. Glenda responds, "Be off with you. You have no power here." And that is true of death for us. Because of Easter, as Christians we can say, "Death, be gone. You have no power here." And that is cause for celebration. That is cause enough to proclaim, as St. Augustine said, from head to toe, "Alleluia!"

On behalf of the entire pastoral team here at St. Augustine I extend our wishes for a happy Easter Season to all of you. Easter is not a day; it is a season of fifty days. Further, each Sunday throughout the year is a mini-Easter because we celebrate the passion, death, and resurrection each Sunday. At Churches throughout the world we hear throughout the Easter season that same cry, "Alleluia! He is Risen." Indeed this is our faith. Indeed, this is our hope. Indeed, this is God's love for each of us!

Fr. Tom