Tell your Story!

Luke 24:35-48

35 The disciples told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognized Jesus at the breaking of bread. 36 They were still talking about this when Jesus himself stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 37 They thought they were seeing a ghost and were scared half to death. 38 He continued with them, "Don't be upset, and don't let all these doubting questions take over. 39 Look at my hands; look at my feet-- it's really me. Touch me. Look me over from head to toe. A ghost doesn't have muscle and bone like this." 40 As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 They still couldn't believe what they were seeing. It was too much; it seemed too good to be true. He asked, "Do you have any food here?" 42 They gave him a piece of leftover fish they had cooked. 43 He took it and ate it right before their eyes. 44 Then he said, "Everything I told you while I was with you comes to this: All the things written about me in the Law of Mo ses, in the Prophets, and in the Psalms have to be fulfilled." 45 He went on to open their understanding of the Word of God, showing them how to read their Bibles this way. 46 He said, "You can see now how it is written that the Messiah suffers, rises from the dead on the third day, 47 and then a total life- change through the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in his name to all nations-- starting from here, from Jerusalem! 48 You're the first to hear and see it. You're the witnesses.

Food for thought! Tell your story and your story will tell you who you are!

Two disciples met the risen Lord on the way to Emmaus. After recognising Jesus, they hurriedly came back to Jerusalem to share their experience with the other apostles. And «While they were telling their story, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you'» (Luke 24:36).

It is in the process of sharing and of telling our story that Christ makes sense of things. Keeping silen t does not help; sharing with someone always helps bring clarity to our confusion. The whole situation seemed to the two disciples to have no explanation. Their hopes and dreams were shattered. Everything seemed meaningless until they talked; until they shared; until they told their story, first to Jesus (yesterday's gospel), and today to the others. That is when the meaning of life became clear and the darkness gave way to light.

Like we said yesterday, our individual stories are not meaningless, they are meaningful, that is, when seen through the eyes of Jesus. Look at your story, your life through the eyes of Jesus and you will see that it carries much meaning. Have you ever told your story? Have you ever shared your story? Do you come home in the evening and share the story of your day, or you think that your story is of no interest to anybody? Do you find time to sit with your people at home to listen to their story? Parents, do you ever listen to the story of your children ? Or you think their small stories are nothing? Do you prefer watching movies to listening to your spouse and children? When did you last listen to anyone’s story? When did you last tell your story to anybody? Tell your story and your story will tell you who you're; reveal your story and your story will reveal who you are.

See how Jesus' story helped the disciples to understand theirs: «Everything I told you while I was with you comes to this: All the things written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets, and in the Psalms have to be fulfilled.» He went on to open their understanding of the Word of God, showing them how to read their stories. In other words, when we read scripture we come to understand our story. God as Master Weaver, Master Builder, redeemed the story of Joseph in Egypt. Can’t he redeem your story as well?