Fifth hour

Emmaus

a) Reflection on God’s Word

What feelings and thoughts filled the hearts of the disciples when they left Jerusalem and on the road to Emmaus were joined by Jesus, whom, however, they did not recognize? Jesus first asked them: “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?” Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him: “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?” And He asked: “What things?” So they said to Him: “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death… But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel.” Then the disciples told Him about the women having seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. And Jesus said to them: “Ofoolishones,andslowof heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Their hearts burnt within them while He opened the Scriptures to them. Short after, their eyes were opened and they recognized Him in the breaking of bread, but He vanished from their sight.

a) Reflection on God’s Word

“Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them: ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.’” (Mt 28:16-19)

“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mk 16:16-18)

And Jesus said: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Mt 28:20) Jesus was with the apostles, and He is with us too, but we also must be with Him. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8). His promise is true today as well but the condition is to preach the Gospel in power and to be ready even to lay down one’s life for its sake and for the sake of Christ.

We hereby present a concrete programme of preparation of priests for internal mission in Russia:

Priests shall lead a semi-monastic way of life. Saint Basil emphasized: “Woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.” (Ecc 4:10) From Sunday evening to Tuesday noon it is necessary to create the conditions of spiritual desert – that means to seclude yourself from your family and daily worries and to devote time to prayer and God’s Word in fellowship. The model presented here has been practised by a community of seven bishops for several years and it has proved its worth.

Print the material for the spiritual programme as a brochure and use it at the prayer meetings (one and a half days).

If you pray this prayer, and you are not a citizen of Russia, so pray for your nation.

Download: A call for mission in Russia (Part 2) (format doc)

A call for mission in Russia (Part 2) (format pdf)

We hereby present a scheduled prayer programme preparing the clergy for internal mission:

Sunday evening: arrival

• 22:00 night’s rest

Note: Fast is observed from Sunday evening to Monday evening. Those with health problems eat individually.