The Third Sunday of Easter

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen (Third Sunday of Easter BCP 224)

During the season of Easter we are told many stories of Jesus appearing to his followers after his death and Resurrection. We hear of Jesus appearing in the upper room to the disciples. We hear of him appearing on the road to Emmaus, and this Sunday, the gospel passage will tell us the story of Jesus appearing on the beach of the Sea of Galilee for breakfast. In all of these stories, Jesus appears seemingly out of nowhere. A shock to all who experience him in that moment.

Many times in my own life, Jesus seemingly appears out of nowhere. Not in flesh and blood, but in presence or understanding. While I feel like I should be used to it by this point, I am still surprised and sometimes shocked at the moments Jesus turns up in. What is he doing here? Why did he decide to turn up now? These questions run through my head as I try to understand what God is doing in those moments.

Yet, the gospel stories show us an underlying message about Jesus in these stories. He doesn't appear out of nowhere. He doesn't suddenly materialize... poof! ... out of nowhere. Jesus is with us at all times, its just that sometimes we see him more clearly than others. Many times, like the disciples, we don't always recognize him at first. Notice where Jesus appears in your life this week. Does he appear out of nowhere or was he with you the whole time?