THEY DIDN’T GET IT, BUT THEY GOT IT.

The blind man that received his sight was asked how he was healed. He could not really explain it other than “I was blind, but now I see”.  He didn’t get it, but he got it.

This week’s scriptures seem to have been a similar scenario.  In the Gospels we’ve been hearing of the human response to Jesus’ resurrection.  The interesting thing for me is, in Mary Magdalene and the other women’s encounter with the risen Lord, they were given specific instructions.  Monday, Mary is to “Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee and they will see me there.”  Tuesday, her instructions are to “go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”  

And yet today, when the two disciples encounter Jesus on the road, where were they heading?  I’m not sure how familiar you are with the maps of the time, but Emmaus would be the long way to Galilee.  Their sharing of the recent experience in Jerusalem was a strong indication the just didn’t get it.  “Some women from our group, … astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his Body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive.  Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.”   

   

They didn’t get it, but they got it.

Because in the readings from Acts we are getting a glimpse of the Pentecost effect.  In receiving the Holy Spirit, Peter’s natural boldness is put to good use, as he addresses those in Jerusalem, converting and baptizing 3,000 and as he, in today’s reading, almost matter of factly, heals the lame man at the Beautiful Gate.

They didn’t get it, but they got it.

We cannot always explain or totally understand the ways of God we have experienced.  Yet Jesus gives us another example of how we can evangelize, to each other and to those around us, just like he did.  How? Share as he did with the disciples on the road to Emmaus.  He walked with them on their journey and entered into a friendly conversation.  This is something, I believe, we all can do, just enter into a friendly conversation.  As a trusting relationship builds, share your faith story.  Don’t impose it, share it and allow the other to share theirs.  I’ve heard story after story of people engaging their neighbors, travel partners, and coworkers, while walking, in the break room, while playing golf, or at their favorite pub.  This is an effective way to evangelize those who don’t got it, to get it.