Aha!

Loss. Heaviness. Heartache. Jesus is dead. Two despondent disciples are going home. All their expectations and joys are gone.  The mission is over. Their eyes are downcast. There is an ache in the pit of their stomach. Can you feel how disheartened they are? To understand the Resurrection as the first disciples did, we must first get inside their agony. And not just any death: Jesus’ death. Have you ever felt that low?

Jesus doesn’t pop in and say, “Hey, look, I’m here! There’s a  happy ending!” They’re too dispirited for that. No, Jesus has mercy.  He engages them in quiet conversation. Jesus is gentle. Each time he appears in the resurrection stories, he looks different somehow. They had known him before. They do not recognize him now. 

They walked a long way together. Jesus gradually brought them out of their funk by recasting the story that they had been telling themselves. He gave them a fresh understanding of who the  Redeemer was to be. Their hearts started to burn within them. 

Then in the breaking of the bread, suddenly their eyes are opened.  Aha! They see! Awakened to joy, they turn and dash back to Jerusalem to tell the apostles! (Remember, if you want to see jubilation, watch  the feet.) The resurrection of Jesus is an earthquake-causing “Aha!”  Death has no more power. Life is the final answer! 

We may sometimes think that we are headed home. But our true homeland does not look like this one. The Word who became flesh transforms our despair into hope, our weariness into refreshment,  our wanting to quit into perseverance, and our heartache into splendor. This is the meaning of the Paschal Mystery. This is the core of the Resurrection. This is the heart of the Christian story. This is the “Aha!” of Easter! 

Consider/Discuss 

• The psalmist says, “You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in  your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.” How have I been shown? When have my eyes been opened and my heart set on fire? 
• The “Aha!” of understanding enlivens the mind. The “Aha!” of feeling burns in the heart. The “Aha!” of seeing invigorates the imagination.  Though it may not compare to the immensity of the Resurrection, have you  encountered an “Aha!” moment of clarity like that? 

Living and Praying with the Word 

Lord, sometimes we just want to go home. Life can weigh us  down. The world can be discouraging. Our struggles are nothing  compared to the grief from your crucifixion, but you can see that our  eyes also can grow downcast. In this moment, walk with us on this  road. We could use an “Aha!” moment. Reveal yourself to us! Make  our hearts burn within us at your Presence. Let me delight at your  right hand forever, risen Lord, for you are the joy of my life.