The “Road to Emmaus” story is an Easter story, a hope story, a God-with-us story. After Jesus’ death on the cross, two of his disciples don’t know it’s him who joins them on the journey, and in fact they don’t know him until he breaks bread among them at the evening meal—and then he disappears until they see him again in Jerusalem.
Why do I bring this up? Aside from the fact that we’re in the midst of the Easter season and we’re hearing this story and ones like it, this one always speaks to me and I think it speaks something to us here and now at Saint Matthew: we are companions on the journey with Christ. We are companions in our families, small groups, congregations, denomination (the ELCA), and with other Christians all over the state, country, and world. For instance, I am sad to be leaving Saint Matthew at the close of April, but I know that I am still a fellow-companion with each of you and you with me on our life-journey with Christ; this is a strengthening thought.
Where are we headed on this journey, and why does it matter? We’re walking into deeper relationship with Christ and each other as we live into the unfolding reality of God’s grace. What does this have to do with children and youth? Everything.
Christians are challenged to more relationally journey together in Christ. With children, youth, and youth adults, this happens when we engage them in open and honest conversation—so that the “us and them” transforms into the more relational “each other”—and when we take steps to do faith formation at all ages in the church and at home. When we walk together faithfully, we come to truly know each other’s strengths and needs, and we share what is most important to us—each knowing that everyone has something to teach each other about faith and God, adults and teens and kids. At home and in the congregation, adults provide instruction to children on the Bible and experiences like prayer and faith conversation, and children bring their new questions and fresh insights on these matters. Similarly with youth and young adults in relationship building and teaching one another, only these age groups need to be taken seriously as creative, gifted planners and leaders already, just as they are, right now—in the midst of the congregation and the world. Perhaps teenagers and young adults don’t always conform to expected behaviors, but this can be refreshing, conversation-starting, and challenging. Adults often have the treasured of tradition and wisdom to offer, and children, youth, and young adults often have the gifts of energy and passion to pour into that which they are excited about. And over the last seven months, I’ve been privileged to walk beside a few such young people at Saint Matthew who are so blessed by God with many talents.
May we continue to walk together in time spent together, in conversations, and in prayer, seeking to serve God’s mission in the world at every age, for we know that Christ is already our faithful companion.
—Melissa May
Connect with Melissa
On May 3rd, Melissa May will be consecrated as a diaconal minister. Tune in at 6:30 pm for a live web broadcast on UStream.
On May 4th at 12:30 pm, you are most welcome to come to the On Eagle’s Wings banquet luncheon at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansdale, PA, when Melissa May will be installed as a diaconal minister with the organization. If you would like to come, please RSVP by emailing info@oneagleswings.org or calling this toll-free number: 1-866-441-6594.