Sing the Lord's song in this strange land.

Psalms 137:4 How can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a foreign land?  

Because I wasserving on a Men's Emmaus Walk when the Koreans came to America, I did not know any of the Korean women who came to America. Thus, believing that the only thing that I would have in common with the Korean Emmaus Leaders would be the fact that they loved Jesus and were members of the body of Christ, I expected to start off the weekend as a stranger in a foreign land, and yet in many different ways, I experienced the most amazing amount of love ever imagined. In fact, there was such a tremendous bonding that took place even at Send-off that I forgot that I was a stranger in a foreign land.

If you know anything about the purpose and aim of Emmaus, then you know that the main purpose is to meet Jesus and the main aim is to meet Jesus in a new way. Thus, if sponsorship is done correctly, each Emmaus event will be composed of some Christians who are new to the Faith, some Christians who have become lapsed in their walk, and some Christians who are very involved in their churches. But no matter what level of faith they come to Emmaus, the opportunities provided through chapel services, meditationtimes after each Talk, and discussions with each other are designed to help each pilgrim and team member have an unique experience where they meet Jesus at their own point of need.

This has been proven to be true for both the pilgrims and the team members as well. However, I have served as Spiritual Director or Assistant Spiritual Director on so many three-day weekends, that before I went to Seoul, I had developed a habit of just showing up expecting to be a part of another weekend where we assemble for meals, worship, and Talks. I went to Seoul with that same attitude, but I did not leave there with that attitude. Jesus showed up on my journey, and once again I experienced a life changing moment with Christ. I think that each of us has things in our lives which have happened to us that we will never forget, and my experience at the Seoul Emmaus Walk is an example of one of those things that has taken place in my life. For me, it was a Means of Grace, one of those very special moments in my life where God revealed Himself to me in a special way.

What did He show me about Emmaus? God reminded me that the Walk to Emmaus is not just a nice weekend away; it is not just a time of good teaching and worship; it is not just a time of bonding together; and it is not just a time of deep experiences of the Lord. The Walk to Emmaus weekend is now and will forever be a life-changing experience that if taken seriously, you will not be the same person when you leave as you were when you came. Through this Korean Emmaus experience, I realized that I had allowed my relationship between the Lord and Emmaus to get cold. But thanks to my Korean Emmaus experience, that relationship was put in the microwave and reheated. I finished the Seoul Emmaus Walk being once again on fire for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

So how do we sing the Lord's song in a foreign land? Through the Emmaus Community, we are reminded that we are not alone on our walk of faith. It does not matter whether we are life-long Christians or newly baptized; whether we are secure in our faith or in times of doubt; whether we are in our own country or visiting another country; whether we are surrounded by friends or strangers, when we feast at the Lords table remembering the bands of community that unite us, we can and do sing. When we remember that it is the same bread, the same wine that we partake of, we can sing. When we remember the One who first called us to feast at His table, we can sing. When we remember Who offers His body and blood for us without price, we can and do sing. When we remember Him whose faith is sufficient for us in our times of doubt, even when we find it difficult to sing the Lord's song, we can and do sing.

Next month I will talk about Candlelight and Dying moments.  

DeColores!

Rev. Ella McDonald

Walk #54

Table of Esther