Hopelessness of this magnitude "happens in that part of people where God alone can go... that Christ was once dead reminds us that the forces of evil are strong; dark despair can overcome us in that place where the battle between hope and disillusionment is waged."(1)
When Elijah was in that place, he was powerless to change it; it was God who took the initiative. Similarly, the two disciples wearily walking the road to Emmaus could do nothing to ease their sense of God-abandonment. It was the One who was broken on the cross and who offered them the broken bread that did this. So it is for us.
"Hope in God - in the Word made flesh, in the God who wept in the Gethsemane and who became God-forsaken on Calvary, in the God who comes to you incognito on the road, who comes as light and truth... who makes himself known in the breaking of the bread. Hope in this God and you will again praise him, your help and your God." (2)
(1) M Maggay, Reflections on the Kingdom of Politics, ISACC, Manila, 2004, p146
(2) NT Wright, The Challenge of Jesus, SPCK, 2000, p167
from "Encounter with God" 3 May: Dark Night of the Soul
The initiative has been taken.
God has made Himself known.
The bread has been broken...
and has also been offered.
To you.
God has made Himself known.
The bread has been broken...
and has also been offered.
To you.
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