Rev. George Miller
April 27, 2025
Luke 24:13-35
Once upon a time in a land of oranges and
alligators lived Suzanne, a person as unique as a unicorn. With a raspy voice and dry wit, she was known
for always wearing a red hat.
Suzanne loved her red hat; she wore it
everywhere- Aldi’s, theatre, church. Some
judged her; she did not care. She adored her red hat and folks loved her.
One day she had an idea- what if, on
Easter, everyone wore a hat? Wouldn’t
that be lovely!
Like Wisdom at the front door, she invited
all to participate; a $1 she’d donate to the Pantry.
People showed up- white hats, funny hats,
Cuban hats, bows, ribbons, and money was raised to feed the hungry.
People had so much fun that Suzanne did
this every year, until one day she traveled far up North to a place called
Ohio, and to the sorrow of all, she never came back…
The citizens of oranges and alligators
were sad. But a woman with
golden hair said she would oversee the Easter Hat tradition in honor of Sue,
and the people were happy…
…even though they would always be a little
bit sad because no more would they see the unique Suzzanne in her red hat or
hear her raspy voice.
But the news of Easter Hats traveled
to a magical gateway in the west, a place known for dandelions and trivia
nights, and another church was given the chance to wear hats.
And hats they wore! From cheerful
fasteners, to hats from The Homeland to hats given as gifts, and funny hats
with long green strands.
Even though no one knew it, the legacy of
Suzanne, the unique unicorn from the land of orange groves lived on….
…Relationships. This is the word that today’s
scripture stirs within my soul. The
importance and value of relationships in the Good News narrative.
Like Suzanne inviting others to
participate in her joy, or Donavan inviting us to be part of BWorks ministry.
What we witness today is how relational
the Resurrection is.
We’re on the road with Cleopas and his
partner, between the mystery of Jerusalem and their dining room table.
The two are sharing chisme (gossip)
about all they heard about Jesus, those who tried to stop him; his appearance
to Mary, Joanna, and others.
Notice the motif- they are on a journey, a
path, between here and there. If this were
1880 Sappington, they could be traveling by wagon.
Or 1983 Sunset Hills and they’re running
on Denny Road listening to Walkmans.
Or it’s 2024, Cleopas and his companion
are on a Civil Rights bike trip from Selma to Montgomery. Or the summer of 25 and they’re with the
Youth journeying to Back Bay.
In all these scenarios, there is a
commonality- they are in transition and in it together.
It’s not just Cleopas; it’s not just his
companion. It is the 2 of them talking
about more than just themselves. They
are discussing their community, reflecting upon what Jesus went through.
They talk as a collective- “We had
hoped”, “some women of our group”, “they came back and told us.”
Imagine this being Bill, Adam, and Donovan
biking in Birmingham. Or Sara, Mia, and
Marisol on the bus to Biloxi.
A journey, communicating, remembering, together.
This is when the Resurrected Christ
appears; when they gather at table; break bread, realizing that Jesus is with
them; their hearts burning.
Instead of keeping it to themselves they
rush to the others to share the great Good News: the dead-ends of the world did not detour Christ!
But through the breaking of bread and the
sharing of stories, all that Jesus was, is and has done remains here
and now on Earth.
As Cleopas and companion tell their tale,
Christ stands with them and says “Peace be with you; be brave. Let’s eat!”
Christ speaks, shares scripture, recalls how
repentance and forgiveness are ways in which God’s will is done on earth.
Relationships. This is one word that today’s
scripture celebrates- the importance of relationships in Luke’s telling of The
Good News.
Since beginning our bike-ride through
Luke, there have been nothing but relationships.
Zechariah and Elizabeth; Elizabeth and
Mary; Mary and Joseph.
Hear how relational Luke lays out the
Jesus journey-Shepherds and angels; Simeon and Anna. John baptizing, Jesus calling disciples.
Mother-in-laws being healed; 5,000 being
fed. Martha and Mary working and
learning in their home; Zaccheus scurrying up a tree to be seen.
So relational; person to person. Rarely do
we hear about Jesus being absent of anyone else.
When he is alone, it is intentional- to recharge
his battery (5:16), contemplate big decisions (6:12), or prepare for his next
lesson (9:18).
Still, there is a sense of relationship as
Jesus communes with his Father, seeking out God’s will for the community.
The times when Jesus is tragically alone-
the temptation, the prayer on Mount Olives, and that long, lonely Saturday in
the tomb, they serve as a means of showing us just how important relationships
are.
In Luke, Jesus is relational, so the Resurrection
becomes a celebration of relationships- how they form, how they continue, make
pathways for integrity, solidarity, and grace.
From Suzanne with her red hat to BWorks in
which bikes are revived to bless others, to our Youth rehabbing homes and
connecting with an often overlooked circle of people.
What a beautiful legacy to plant, allowing
love to grow.
Regardless if you are in a land of
alligators or dandelions, no matter what path we are on-
there’s something so powerful, special when
Resurrection is shared in a community of hope, a circle of love,
hearts burning with beauty; transformation
taking place.
For that, let us say “Amen.”
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